Adventurers & Explorers speakers

Alain is famous in hundreds of countries for managing to climb 141 of the world's tallest buildings with his bare hands. Alain is a legendary free-climber, referred to as the hymn Spiderman. He has thousands of YouTube hits that have amassed millions of hits each. Alain has achieved global success in free-climbing despite a career ending injury at 19, leaving him 66% disabled. Alain also, shockingly, suffers from vertigo, yet he preserves on with his passion.

Alastair’s expeditions are a call to arms that nothing is achieved without being bold enough to begin it and that the first step need only be a tiny one to set us on the way to realising that we are all capable of more than we imagine.

All it took was a cup of coffee to change Alex’s life forever and set in motion the indomitable will and desire that lead him to realise an astonishing adventure that Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE has described as “seriously hard”. An experienced speaker, whether for a keynote address, conference, school or community events, Alex’s presentations have brought humor, insight and adventure to audiences around the world.

Amar became known to millions through the groundbreaking BBC2 reality show ‘Beyond Boundaries’ (series 1), and despite losing 95% of his sight by the age of 18, through determination, he managed to turn an unpromising loss into a truly inspirational achievement.

Andrew Kirkpatrick’s speciality is big wall climbing and winter expeditions, which involves pitting himself against a vertical climbs of over 1000 meters often in temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees. Andy has scaled Yosemite's El Capitan - one of the hardest walls in America - over twenty four times, including three solo ascents and a one day ascent (18h), as well as climbing it with a paraplegic climber, his thirteen year old daughter and a blind friend. One of these ascents was a 12 day solo of the Reticent Wall, viewed at the time as perhaps the hardest climb of its type in the world, and the subject of his award winning book Psychovertical.

Bear Grylls OBE has become known around the world as one of the most recognized faces of survival and outdoor adventure. His journey to this acclaim started in the UK, where his late father taught him to climb and sail.

Ben Fogle has rowed the Atlantic Ocean, crossed Antarctica on foot, run across the Sahara and crossed the Empty Quarter on camel. He has presented numerous hit programmes on the BBC, ITV and Channel 5 including, New Lives in the Wild, Extreme Dreams, Countrywise, Harbour Lives, Through Hell and High Water and Crufts. He writes regularly for the Sunday Telegraph and has written six Sunday Times bestseller books. He is an ambassador for WWF, Medecins Sans Frontier and Tusk, Centrepoint and the Princes Trust, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and patron of The Royal Parks Foundation. Ben is a special correspondent for NBC News in the United States, reporting from all over the world for Today, Dateline and MSNBC Nightly News.

With his dual identity as a medical doctor and explorer, Bertrand Piccard has become an influential voice heard among the most distinguished institutions across the globe as a forward-thinking leader in progress and sustainability. He is independent, not affiliated to a particular party or lobbying group, and as such is a trusted adviser and influencer for the development of new societal solutions, and a very sought-after speaker for private and public audiences.

Brendan Hall's keynote presentation, 'Life and leadership on the world's most demanding yacht race' is a gripping narrative of an ocean yacht race on the edge, and a young skipper's determined journey to victory. At the age of 27, Brendan was selected to lead one of the ten teams competing in the 2009-10 Clipper Round the World race. He had no input on the selection of his 44 crew, but was tasked with turning them into a cohesive, competitive unit, able to take on the ultimate sailing challenge, a gruelling ten-month race around the globe. He knew that the key to success would be creating and sustaining a culture of high performance, autonomy, motivation and support- A race winning formula.

Captain Richard Phillips was the Captain of the Maersk Alabama, Hijacked by Somali Pirates.

Chris Moon MBE is one of the most fortunate people to be alive you’re likely to meet and should be dead many times over. He’s a former British Officer who left the Army to work for a charity clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance.

A legend in the climbing world, Conrad has crafted a legacy defined by taking on the most technically challenging terrain on earth, including “The Shark’s FIn”, as documented in the award-winning film “Meru.”

A born and bred Northumbrian, Conrad has enjoyed the outdoors since he was a boy. Conrad is the first and only Briton to have achieved the ‘Polar Grand Slam’ – completing the World’s recognised three hardest Polar journeys, crossing Greenland; the Antarctic plateau to reach the South Pole and the Arctic to the North Pole, all unsupported. Conrad became a Captain during his Short Service Commission in the Army and specialized in Arctic Warfare whilst training in Norway. In 2011 Conrad trained the BBC film crew and Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton for her successful trip to the South Pole.

Conrad Humphreys is an award-winning, triple round-the-world yachtsman, author and the founder of Sport Environment, a sports marketing consultancy that specialises in sailing and outdoor sports.

Dallas is one of the most versatile and well travelled factual presenters working in the industry. He has filmed in some of the most extraordinary & challenging locations all over the world - Sewer diving in Mexico City, scaling the world’s tallest building in Dubai, exploring secret chambers in Egypt’s Great Pyramid, filming rocket launches to the International Space Station in Kazakhstan and diving for lost Spanish treasure off the coast of Cuba.

She is a founder of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, set up in 2003, a charity which takes young people aged between 8-24 sailing to help them regain their confidence on their way to recovery from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illnesses. Having become acutely aware of the finite nature of the resources our linear economy relies upon, she stepped away from professional sailing in 2009 to launch the Ellen MacArthur Foundation following 4 years traveling the world and researching the challenges facing our current global economy.nd the circular economy to life.

As star of the Food Network's hit show Rescue Chef, Danny Boome is a superhero in the kitchen, able to solve any kitchen crisis while pleasing the pickiest of eaters. Incredibly charismatic and energetic, Boome provides practical eating advice for aspiring cooks of any skill level. A strong believer that a healthy meal enhances both body and mind, his handy tips are designed to provide essential nutrition on the go.

Best Selling author of PATHFINDER: David’s first hand account of fighting deep behind enemy lines on a Black Ops Mission he lead in Iraq. It is a story of Triumph Over Adversity and details how his team of elite operators were abandoned by higher command and ambushed, alone and surrounded had to fight to survive - 9 men against 2,000 enemy.

Debra Searle MVO, MBE is a professional adventurer and serial entrepreneur. Her expeditions have included rowing solo across the Atlantic and sailing around Antarctica. She has also launched four companies, is a published author, has worked as a presenter for the BBC and is a trusted corporate speaker. Debra’s spirit of adventure gained her an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen and a place on the board of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. She was later awarded an MVO in the 2014 New Year’s Honours. In Spring 2015, Debra and her company combined her two passions for adventure and gender equality by organising and leading an all-female team on an expedition in the Arctic Circle. The movie of Debra’s Atlantic story is currently in development in Hollywood.

Former military sergeant who broke almost every bone in his body and lost both legs in 2009 when the armoured vehicle he was travelling in was struck by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. After spending five months in hospital he undertook several gruelling challenges including Lands End to John O'Groats, London Marathon, South Pole and Marathon de Sables. Named Overall Champion Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons 2021.

Ed Buckingham is a truly inspirational and a motivational man. Working for the Royal Mail for 28 years, an adventurer and author from his native origin of Cornwall. Coming from a background of hill and coastal walkers Ed has through sheer hard work and determination turned himself into a world class athlete. At the culmination of his quest, he emerges as a capable climber, fit and strong, competing in triathlons running full and ultra marathons, climbing mountains and delivering the post.

Ed is a doctor in Nottingham with degrees in Medicine, Extreme Human Physiology and Medical Law. In 2009 he took a break from Medicine to join James Cracknell and Ben Fogle on the first ever race of its kind to the South Pole. Ed completed a two-day selection course beating over 650 applicants to win his place on the team. The expedition and selection process was filmed for a 5-part TV series for BBC2 called ‘On Thin Ice’.

Felix Baumgartner broke three World Records by base-jumping from a capsule in Space down to Earth: the first human to break the sound barrier without the assistance of a vehicle, the highest manned balloon flight, and the highest skydive. Outside of his penchant for daredevil acts, Felix was named to Vienna's Street of Champions and nominated for a World Sports Award and two categories in the NEA Extreme Sports Awards, Felix is also an advocate for the nonprofit Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation.

A botanist and biologist, Francis is specialised in tree architecture and the ecology of the tropical rainforests. An outstanding professor and researcher, he led the Radeau des Comes scientific missions from 1986 to 2003. He has written several books including "In Praise of Plants", "Advocacy for the Tree" and "The Tropical Condition". Far from a technocratic speech, Francis Hallé knows how to get his audience interested in tree science, floral structures and even the architecture of vascular plants.

Geoffrey Holt is an English sailor from Portsmouth, Hampshire. Paralysed in an accident at the age of eighteen, in 2007 he became the first quadriplegic yachtsman to sail solo around Great Britain.

George McGavin is a British entomologist, author, academic, television presenter and explorer.

Gethin Jones is best known for his children’s television career presenting popular shows such as Popty and Blue Peter.

Having sailed the Atlantic alone twice, Hannah is one of Britain’s most inspirational women. Sailing solo for weeks at a time and coming 2nd in a transatlantic race, Hannah has faced icebergs, intense sleep deprivation, technical failures and the worst that the North Atlantic Ocean can muster. Hannah has led others through hostile conditions, inspiring fellow crew members in some of the world’s toughest oceans.

As Founder of Plant for Peace, James has overseen its strategy since early 2007. James passionate journey determining the Plant for Peace strategy involves farmers, Taliban and Government of Afghanistan. James’ drive and motivation stem from the environment and nature and understanding people and a natural food chain.

In January 1999, Jamie and a climbing partner were trapped for five nights on the storm bound icy summit of a French mountain. Despite surviving, both hands and feet were amputated. Since this he has learned to walk again, take up skiing, run marathons and iron man triathlons and remarkably returned to climb once more in the mountains that he loves so much.

Janice Meek is an unlikely adventurer who can proudly claim to be the only woman on the planet to have rowed across an ocean and walked to two poles. Janice now dedicates her life to public speaking, motivating others to achieve goals they never dreamed of, inspiring people regardless of their age, gender or size and fundraising for charity.

Jason Lewis is an award-winning adventurer, author, and sustainability advocate specializing in human-powered expeditions. He is recognized by Guinness World Records as being the first person to circumnavigate the Earth without using motors or sails: walking, cycling, and inline skating five continents, and kayaking, swimming, rowing, and pedaling a boat across the rivers, seas, and oceans. Taking thirteen years to complete, the 46,505-mile journey was hailed “the last great first for circumnavigation” by the London Sunday Times.

Since first being “thrown overboard” by his father at the age of seven with newly invented SCUBA gear on his back, Jean-Michel has been exploring the ocean realm. The son of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, Jean-Michel has investigated the world’s oceans aboard Calypso and Alcyone for much of his life. Honoring his heritage, Jean-Michel founded Ocean Futures Society in 1999 to carry on this pioneering work.

Jim Lawless is one of the world’s leading inspirational speakers. Over half a million people on five continents have been inspired by Jim’s presentations and countless thousands more by his book “Taming Tigers”.

Jim McNeill is a British polar explorer, presenter and keynote speaker, with over 30 years of experience travelling in the polar regions.

Jo and her husband Rob took on the monstrous task of ascending the Seven Summits, breaking records by being the fastest couple to ever ascend it, as well as Jo entering the Guinness Book of World Records for holding the fastest female ascent time, also being the second British woman to ever scale Everest's North Ridge.

When Jonathan was seven years old he read a book about the first escape artist Harry Houdini. From that moment Jonathan knew that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of such a great man and be an escape artist too. While performing his escapes Jonathan has been hanged, buried alive, locked in a box covered in 200,000 bees and burned at the stake to name just a few. Jonathan has also developed his ability to withstand pain. From being hit with a baseball bat to handling hot coals, pushing needles through his skin, and even walking on tacks in bare feet; Jonathan somehow seemingly has the ability to disconnect his bodies pain receptors.

Karen has the philosophy that to have the most impact in life we should challenge our constraints, adopt a positive mindset and support each other to be the best we can be.

Kate Humble is an English television presenter, specialising in wildlife and science programmes. She was also the President of the RSPB until 2013.

Ken Hames, is the former S.A.S Major whose Herculean tasks have included leading a dozen women through the rain forests of Borneo in Channel 4's 'Jungle Janes', guiding expeditions of physically disabled teenagers in Beyond Boundaries and building the first ever eco-lodge and game reserve in Kenya in BBC 1 "Mission Africa". The year-long training programme and the expedition that followed revealed hidden strengths and weaknesses amongst the women, none of whom had ever faced real danger. Ken's presentations provide a fascinating insight into how individuals learn to tackle pressure and work as a team.

As a CEO, chairman, founder and investor Kevin has enjoyed success in sectors including automotive, data, technology, manufacturing, brand marketing and professional services. He has repeatedly led teams to achieve extraordinary performance in companies ranging from 7 to 7,000 employees. One recognised as the best private equity investment of the year, another nominated as the World’s 7th most innovative company. Passionate about the development of leadership skills he is frequently sought to reinvigorate teams and companies.

Mark Beaumont has become a household name through his documentaries about ultra endurance and adventure, Having smashed the circumnavigation cycling World Record twice in his career, he now holds this title having averaged 240 miles a day, becoming the first person to cycle ‘Around the World in 80 Days.’ His epic documentaries have taken views to over 100 countries, into the Arctic, the High Mountains and around the Commonwealth, also surviving capsize in the mid-Atlantic.

Nine times Grand Prix winner Mark Webber’s fairytale journey from Queanbeyan kid to world-class athlete is an enthralling and entertaining story full of inspiration and amusing anecdotes. Mark retired from Formula 1 in 2013, currently competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Porsche.

Michael Finkel is the author of the New York Times bestseller “The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit,” about a highly intelligent man who lived alone in the forest of Maine for 27 years, as well as the book “True Story,” about Finkel’s bizarre and unhealthy friendship with a murderer, which was adapted into a 2015 major motion picture produced by Brad Pitt and starring James Franco and Jonah Hill.

Professor Mike Stroud OBE, MD, DSci is an expert on human health under extreme conditions, seeing him joining Sir Ranulph Fiennes on his adventures across the world. Stroud, together with Fiennes, is a supporter of rigorous exercise to help slow down the aging process. He points out that historically the human body is pre-tuned to undergo bouts of hard work and in particular can cope remarkably well with endurance events in hot climates. As a leading authority of survival, nutrition and endurance Mike is asked frequently to appear on television and radio. He presented his own BBC1 series, ‘The Challenge’ and was the endurance and medical expert on all three series of BBC TV’s, ‘Are You Tough Enough for the SAS’.

Blind Adventurer and international Motivational Speaker Miles Hilton-Barber is one of the most widely sought-after motivational speakers on the world circuit today, having had the privilege of speaking at over 1,000 corporate events in 69 countries around the world to date.

Monty Halls has presented television series for the BBC, Channel 4, National Geographic and Discovery, and has written eight books covering his travels.

Nick's passion for running is clear, but his meaningful topics are the basis of some truly inspirational messages too. He covers areas such as understanding potential; embracing failure; perseverance and determination, and how to value the time we have on our planet. His personal stories bring these issues to life with enthusiasm and character. Nick may be a runner first and foremost, but his messages reach further. He’s not on a crusade to get everyone into lycra, but simply to spread the message that everyone, regardless of age, background, and commitments can excel at anything they put their minds to.

Championing dyslexia through a dynamic and diverse career that encompasses the world of the agile entrepreneur, international exploration, high altitude elite adventures, and innovation in aerospace and humanitarian aid. Mentor for the UK charity Heropreneurs.

Paddy has spent the last 26 years in South African private game reserves, conducting safaris, managing lodges and training rangers. His wealth of experience in the African bush has enriched his innate talent for seeking out and understanding wild animals.

A man at the front line of exploration and one of the world’s most experienced divers and polar travellers, Paul Rose has been helping scientists unlock global mysteries for the past 30 years in the most remote and challenging regions of the planet. Paul’s other ventures include a series of television presenting credits, which include; Oceans, Voyages of Discovery, Take One Museum, Meltdown and Wind. He reports for BBC News and has made live appearances on BBC Breakfast, BBC 24 News, Sky News and local TV News. With unique access across a wide range of expert fields, Paul is constantly working to raise awareness of global issues such as the understanding and protection of our ecosystems and biodiversity, climate change and sustainability. He is an award-winning champion for inspiring and motivating the next generation of field scientists and explorers.

World Class Explorer Pen, is an inspirational speaker, bestselling author of ‘Solo’, and pioneering founder of Geo Mission, the environmental sponsorship organisation, and The Polar Travel Company, the first specialist Polar guide service. Pen is an established and talented speaker, executive coach and business mentor, and has worked with Coutts Bank, Team GB, British Airways and Savills to name a few.

His TV appearances cover bushcraft and survival techniques. He is best known for the TV series Ray Mears’ Bushcraft, Survival with Ray Mears and Wild Britain with Ray Mears.

Listed amongst the world’s top 20 most seasoned travellers, Reza Pakravan is an explorer, filmmaker and author. His documentaries and books combine epic journeys with social and environmental issues, and they have taken him to some of the most beautiful, dangerous and remote regions of the world.

Richard Branson is best known as the founder of Virgin Group, which comprises more than 400 companies. His first business venture was a magazine called Student at the age of 16. In 1970, he set up a mail-order record business. In 1972, he opened a chain of record stores, Virgin Records, later known as Virgin Megastores. Richard's Virgin brand grew rapidly during the 1980s, as he set up Virgin Atlantic and expanded the Virgin Records music label. Richard is now the 6th richest person in the UK, according to the Forbes 2013 list of billionaires, with an estimated net worth of £2.8 billion.

Following their successful pitch in the BBC’s Dragons Den, Richard decided to turn down the deal and move on to bigger missions. 6 years World travel focused on researching and interviewing World experts for Enrichd.org has grown into the book he is co-authoring with fellow celeb trainer in Hollywood. Just before pitching in the BBC’s Dragons' Den, Rich was on the operating table having a tumor removed from his left shoulder - oh and the BBC said ’no’ for a week before they did the shoot - overcoming adversity, motivation and making it happen is this mans' game!

Sir Robin was the first person to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world between 14 June 1968 and 22 April 1969.

Having started his career as an actor, Ross Kemp has gone on to prove himself as a successful documentary maker having received a BAFTA for his series on gangs and many other nominations and awards for his television work. Ross now has his own production company so if you're looking for a speaker with a diverse career experience and equipped with motivational and teamwork skills, then Ross will be the perfect speaker for you.

A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and member of the World Explorer’s Bureau, Sarah Begum is an Immersive Investigative Journalist and an Anthropologist-Explorer. In 2010, Sarah’s curiosity led to the greatest achievement of her life, becoming the youngest female Documentarian at 21 years of age to produce her first film in the Amazon Rainforest.

Simon Schama, CBE is an English historian specialising in art history, Dutch history, and French history. He is a University Professor of History and Art History at Columbia University, New York.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes is an adventurer whose dedication and passion have led him to reach both poles, circumnavigate the world’s Polar Axis and to reach the summit of Everest at the age of 65. He also made it into the record books by completing seven marathons on seven continents (including Antarctica) in seven days. To date, Sir Ranulph has, through his expeditions, raised over £14.2 million for UK charities. He has led 22 major expeditions to remote parts of the world including both Poles. He is also the author of 18 books including The Feather Men, a UK No 1 Best Seller and which in 2011 was released as a major motion picture called Killer Elite.

Sir Trevor Soar KCB OBE achieved the fastest promotion of any Admiral in recent history and his career path gave him not only leadership experience at sea but also across the highest levels of defence, change management and procurement and acquisition, chairing or being a member of the most senior defence boards.

Tarka has a wealth of polar experience and since 1999 has led multiple expeditions across the globe. Highlights include eight marathons in eight days in 2000; a 4,500km trek through the Taklimakan Desert and over the Qiling Mountain range to walk the entire length of the Great Wall of China in 2007; and the longest crossing of the Southern Patagonian Icecap by a British team in 2009.

The late David Myers and Simon ‘Si’ King collectively known as the Hairy Bikers, are British television presenters who have fronted the series The Hairy Bikers Cookbook, The Hairy Bikers Ride Again, The Hairy Bakers and The Hairy Bikers’ Food Tour Of Britain. Sadly David passed away 28th February 2024 and will be deeply missed.

Tim Peake was the first British European Space Agency astronaut to visit the International Space Station for Expedition 46/47, where his work captured the hearts and minds of millions. He has a background as a test pilot and a British Army Air Corps officer and he is also a STEM ambassador and best-selling author. Tim shares all the unique insights on leadership, fear and risk management, motivation and collaboration that his incredible career as a test pilot and astronaut has afforded him. He draws on his own out-of-this-world experiences to inspire audiences with his recipe for mission success and Peak(e) performance. Tim is a champion for science, innovation, exploration and adventure and delights audiences with his fascinating stories of life in space, breath-taking photographs and his unique perspective of planet earth.