"Pen Hadow only reluctantly describes himself as an explorer, but in fact he's
one of the most accomplished polar adventurers of the day"
The Editor, Geographical Magazine, November 2005
Hailed by the international
media as one of the world's most accomplished polar explorers, Pen's own
view continues to be that he's the most normal person he's ever met!
At 43, he's a family man who
runs his own business, and who is fast becoming one of the most sought-after
inspirational speakers on the professional speaking circuit.
Ten years ago, Pen pioneered
a specialist guide service in the Arctic and Antarctic, enabling 'allegedly
ordinary' people from all walks of life - men and women, young and old,
novices and disabled, housewives, corporate executives and special forces - to
visit these desolate, yet captivating, wilderness environments. He personally
selected and prepared the expedition teams, most of whom he led himself 'on
the ice'.
The stories behind his entrepeneurial,
'impossible' missions will have you riveted - but what Pen's really
passionate about is providing his audiences with
some fresh insights into enhancing their own performances.
Pen's Approach
"Hadow's most beguiling quality is his
ability to make people believe they can do anything." The Daily Telegraph
Pen's goal is to make a difference...
Pen has an authoritative presence, combined
with an apparent normalness. So, set against the scale of what he has
achieved, when Pen talks, his audiences are unusually receptive.
His modesty, openness, and humour encourage
men and women of every age and background to empathise with Pen, and take
on-board his insights and ideas.
Morgan Stanley, Coutts, Tetrapak, Lloyds TSB,
Nike, Novartis and England Rugby's Elite Coaching Programme are just some of
the organisations which have recently used Pen to inspire, motivate, advise
and entertain their employees, customers and management teams, at all kinds of
events from conferences and seminars to workshops and dinners.
They choose Pen because he's a high-profile
pioneering explorer and entrepreneur with a natural ability to speak
eloquently about his experiences, who also has a track record as an
inspirational expedition leader able to empower audiences and individual
clients to change their approach to performance, both in the workplace, and
far beyond.
It's this unusual empathy with his audiences
that encourages them to believe that if even he can achieve what he sets out
to do, then there's every chance they can too.
"You have a gift - and should use it.
Few can communicate with a level of engagement and intensity like that."
Dame Anita Roddick, Founder of The Body Shop
Subject Matter
"One of the best
speakers we've ever had, in 200 lectures over 18 years, given by Britain's
best known adventure speakers."
Himalayan Kingdoms
Pen has the confidence
and sensitivity to bear his soul to his audiences, as he traces the path that
led to him finally succeeding on his self-imposed mission to be the first to
trek to the North Pole - solo and without resupply - from the Canadian coast.
His journey offers a
moving narrative – and a thought-provoking metaphor of the journeys we all
make in our careers - interspersed with unforgettable lessons learned along
the way. And, unusually for an adventure-speaker, Pen understands how his
polar experiences can translate usefully into the unforgiving business
environment, because he has operated there too, initially as an executive with
Mark McCormack's sports organisation (IMG) and for the last 10 years running
his pioneering travel business, The Polar Travel Company.
Pen is articulate, with
an in-depth approach to his work that often uses ‘outside-the-box' thinking.
The result is that he has the flexibility as well as the experience to tailor
his talk to your requirements, for as long or as short as you like. He can
simply entertain, or he can offer a presentation touching on any of the themes
listed below. He's happy with all kinds of audiences and particularly
relishes Question Time.
Subject areas covered
can include:
Leadership -
Team Performance - Motivation - Innovation - And On Failure - Climate Change
If the venue is suitable,
Pen can also organise and supervise outdoor team activities, such as his
infamous 'Rapid Response Team Challenge' | 
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