A former member of the UK’s elite Special Air Service (SAS), he is the founder of Quantum Financial Holdings, a prominent UK fintech investment incubator and the Compass for Life Foundation, which focuses on supporting disadvantaged children in the UK by addressing educational inequalities.
Woodrow’s military career spans decades, including service with the 22 SAS Regiment, where he earned a Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his contributions in Iraq and an MBE for his work in Afghanistan.
Ranked among the top-performing SAS officers, he later served as Head of the UKSF Counter-Terrorist Wing, developing a nationally recognized training program for the UK government. His operational experience extended to collaborations with international units, such as Seal Team 6 and Delta Force.
During his three-hour session, Floyd shared his insights on negotiation, presenting it as a mindset rooted in trust, emotional intelligence, and strategic intent. He highlighted the importance of active listening and understanding non-verbal cues, such as body language and tone.
Students were immersed in the high-stakes world of negotiation, gaining real-world insights through interactive simulations including an intensive two-chair hostage scenario.
Drawing from his military background and corporate experience, Woodrow’s discussion blended compelling stories with practical advice. He encouraged participants to see negotiation as a skill to be developed rather than a contest to be won.
Reflecting on the session, Floyd said: "Negotiation is one of the most critical leadership skills in business—and in life. It’s not just about reaching agreement, but about deeply understanding yourself and others to create solutions that align with values, purpose, and long-term strategy. That’s why we anchored this session in the Compass for Life framework: when individuals are clear on their Super North Star, grounded in their ethos, and able to flex between strategist and warrior mindsets, they negotiate not from fear or force, but from clarity and conviction.
“The students at Loughborough were outstanding—engaged, curious, and courageous in their approach. By placing them under tangible pressure through real-life scenarios, they were able to test themselves, adapt in real time, and apply resilience strategies in a rapidly changing environment. I believe it’s essential to share these insights with the next generation of leaders so they can navigate complexity with confidence, agility, and purpose."
Dr Elena Georgiadou added: “As the Programme Lead for our BSc International Business course, I was delighted to be able to invite Floyd to lead this session with our students. As part of our undergraduate and postgraduate negotiation classes, we are committed to blending academic learning with real-world expertise, bringing speakers who transform theoretical knowledge into tangible skills.
“In my years of teaching negotiations, I've rarely witnessed a learning experience as transformative as Floyd Woodrow's masterclass. By revealing biases and breaking down negotiation strategies through immersive real-world scenarios and simulations, he fundamentally reshaped students’ understanding of communication, empathy, and adaptive thinking.”