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By the time he arrived in Iraq in 2004, Major Chris Hunter was one of the most experienced counter-terrorist bomb disposal specialists in the British Army.
In 14 years, he’d seen active service in the Balkans, East Africa, Northern Ireland, Colombia and Afghanistan.
But Iraq was different… despite being shot and wounded in an ambush just four days into his tour, he and his team became so successful at disabling insurgent bombs that the bombers ended up placing a price on his head and designing bombs specifically for him.
He also deployed a number of anti-terrorist arrest operations in the UK and was the architect of the UK’s EOD response to a suicide bomb attack on the UK mainland. Later, he played an instrumental role during the July 2005 London bombings, when he was seconded to the British Government’s COBR-A as a suicide terrorism expert.
For his actions during his Iraq tour Chris was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal by HM Queen Elizabeth II. His citation read: ˜There can be few other individuals who have so willingly played Russian roulette with their own life to safeguard the lives of others’.
Since retiring from the army as the MOD’s senior IED intelligence analyst, Chris has become the director of Kratos, a counter-IED consultancy company, training members of the US Department of Defence and providing specialist consultancy services in the UK and overseas. He has also written the acclaimed memoirs Eight Lives Down and Extreme Risk and embarked on a successful career as a freelance writer and motivational speaker. His highly captivating story about ‘the world’s most dangerous job in the world’s most dangerous place’ makes for a compelling and incredibly moving event.
He is a regular contributor to the BBC, Channel 4 and CNN news stations, has an impressive international speaking reputation and continues to expand his TV, radio and media experience. Most recently, he presented a History Channel documentary called Bomb-Hunters and contributed to a number of documentaries, including BBC3’s Conspiracy Roadtrip 7/7 and the docudrama The Taking of Prince Harry. In addition, Chris continues to support and act as ambassador to a number of military charities, and in 2012 was nominated as one of 15 ambassadors to David Cameron’s ‘National Citizen Service’ a young people’s initiative to develop young people’s leadership and life skills.
Chris is renowned for his passionate and enthralling motivational speeches. His natural style and exuberant spirit allow him to set an audience at ease whilst keeping them mesmerised and on the edge of their seats throughout the course of the presentation. His unique and inspirational story offers a powerful message. Delivered with humour and heartfelt emotion, the audience enjoy the lighter side of his experiences, whilst being encouraged to question their own focus and leaving them with a heightened sense of purpose and a greater understanding of how to achieve their goals.
Leadership, Motivation, Fear & Risk, Security, Teamwork
I heard him speak and can tell you he delivered an absolutely fascinating and relevant presentation; acclaimed by all as by far the best of the many countries represented.
Charge d’Affaires; British Embassy. Bogota, Colombia
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the excellent briefing and support you provided to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Your briefing was not only exceptionally well done, but also very informative and timely.
FBI
Chris was great – we got some really positive feedback and the audience were really engaged with plenty of questions. He was definitely a hit.
Barclays