Close up portrait of Bangladeshi leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner and BecomingX interviewee Professor Muhammad Yunus. Close up portrait of Bangladeshi leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner and BecomingX interviewee Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Becoming the best you can be. With instructions.

What would the world look like if everyone could realise their potential? Better or worse? We are a purpose driven learning and development company set up to create a world where everyone can realise their potential. 

Who we are and why we exist

BecomingX was set up with one purpose. To create a world where everyone can realise their potential. Not just employees at the world's best companies. Not just those who can afford professional coaching, or go to the best schools. Everyone. Based on our research into high performance and our interviews with the world's most inspiring and iconic people, we demystify what it really takes to succeed.

A cropped image of the X model, BecomingX's evidence based diagram showing the attributes critical to success.

We demystify success

We help people understand what it really takes to succeed. Combining rigorous research and filmed insights from the world’s most inspiring and iconic people, we explain the factors that drive high performance. Supported by a world-class advisory board, we blend storytelling and science to help individuals, teams, and organisations learn what it takes to succeed. 

BecomingX CEO Paul Gurney on stage delivering a speech on demystifying success.

We help people succeed

We help people build the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and relationships needed to succeed. Working with leading companies and schools, we translate our insights from cutting-edge research and world-leading performers into impactful learning experiences. Our goal is to equip individuals and teams with the mindset, resilience, and skills to excel in an ever-changing world.

Ukrainian refugee hugs a BecomingX corporate sponsor.

We deliver impact

We set out to be a different type of business. As well as our corporate and education work, we deliver social impacts to help disadvantaged groups realise their potential. Not a charity initiative. Not a whim. Part of our core business with our clients, partners and charitable Foundation. We develop solutions that create meaningful change for individuals and communities around the world.

Paul Gurney, CEO and founder of BecomingX Paul Gurney, CEO and founder of BecomingX

Paul Gurney

Co-founder & CEO

Paul set up BecomingX with a singular purpose: to help people realise their potential. He leads BecomingX’s work in corporate learning, education, and social impact, as well as its film series featuring the world’s most inspiring people. Previously a senior Director at Accenture Strategy, Paul spent 15 years helping leading global companies deliver social impact. A passionate adventurer, he has completed two of the world’s toughest races: a 600km race to the Magnetic North Pole and the 270km Marathon des Sables. Paul has also helped raise over $5 million for charities focused on building skills and empowering communities.

“Life rewards the dreamers, the go-getters and the resilient. BecomingX helps people to understand what it really takes to succeed and gives them the skills and confidence to get out there and go for it. Every single day.”
Bear Grylls
BecomingX co-founder
Bear Grylls OBE, Co-founder of BecomingX Bear Grylls OBE, Co-founder of BecomingX

Bear Grylls OBE

Co-founder

Bear is known worldwide as one of the most recognised faces of survival and adventure. He is a former British Special Forces soldier and one of the youngest climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He has starred in multiple TV series, including 'Man Vs. Wild' and 'Running Wild' which have had an estimated TV audience of 1.2 billion viewers. He has won two BAFTAs and written over 90 books which have sold over 20 million copies. He is an Honorary Colonel to the Royal Marines Commandos and was the first ever Chief Ambassador to the World Scout Organisation.

Our advisory board

Lord Dr Michael Hastings CBE - chair of BecomingX advisory board and an expert in leadership, social impact and education.

Lord Dr Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE

Professor of Leadership, Chair of SOAS University 

Priya Lakhani OBE - expert in EdTech and AI. Member of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Priya Lakhani OBE

Founder and CEO of CENTURY Tech

Andria Zafirakou MBE - 'best teacher in the world', renowned educator and author of 'Lessons in Life'.

Andria Zafirakou MBE

Winner of the Global Teacher Prize

David Thomlinson - former CEO of Accenture UK and member of global management board, now Chair of UK Youth.

David Thomlinson

Former CEO of Accenture UK and Chair UK Youth

Karen Huish - Former Accenture and Google Managing Director

Karen Huish

Former Accenture and Google Managing Director

Suki Sandhu OBE - renowned expert on talent and recruiting, inclusion and diversity, and social impact.

Suki Sandhu OBE

Founder and CEO of Audeliss and INvolve

Jim Hawkins - education leader and advisor, Chancellor of Huitong School and former Head Master of Harrow School.

Jim Hawkins

Chancellor of Huitong School, former Head Master of Harrow School

Ally Chapman - strategy lead at Star Academies and former headteacher of deprived school in Blackpool.

Ally Chapman

Strategic Lead, Star Academies

Mark Beaumont BEM - investor, speaker, broadcaster and elite endurance athlete with multiple world records.

Mark Beaumont BEM

World record holding cyclist and business advisor

Meg Zeenat Wamithi - mental health expert, CEO of Mind Mapper and One Young World ambassador.

Meg Zeenat Wamithi

CEO of My Mind Matters Too and MindMapper UK

Matt Chapman - expert in corporate talent development and health and wellbeing. Founder of ChapmanCG.

Matt Chapman

Founder of ChapmanCG

Emily Tseng - expert on digital strategy and start up advisor. Former corporate strategy director at Natwest.

Emily Tseng

Strategy and EdTech professional

Professor Susan James Relly - Professor of Vocational Education, University of Adelaide. Formerly at Oxford University.

Professor Susan James Relly

Professor of Vocational Education, University of Adelaide