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Renowned as “the world’s greatest living explorer” by the Guinness Book of Records, Sir Ranulph Fiennes is a legendary figure whose name is synonymous with endurance, leadership, and adventure.
With a career spanning over five decades, Sir Ranulph has pushed the limits of human capability, embarking on some of the most ambitious expeditions ever undertaken and captivating audiences across the globe with his extraordinary tales.
He has led more than 20 expeditions to all corners of the globe, was the oldest person to reach the summit of Mount Everest and was the first man to cross both polar ice caps.
His expeditions have raised vast sums of money for various charities, so not surprisingly, he was awarded an OBE in 1993 for human endeavour and charitable services. Thanks to the money he has raised, in 2010 he was named as the UK’s top online fundraiser by JustGiving.
Extreme dedication and determination have enabled him to become one of the most prolific explorers in the world, qualities he hopes to share with his audiences. He is inspirational, educational and humorous, and always manages to motivate delegates to achieve their goals.
Contact Great British Speakers today to book Prolific Explorer Ranulph Feinnes for your next event.
Before launching his career in exploration, Ranulph Feinnes served in the military, first in the Royal Scots Grey and then the SAS, where he became the youngest Captain in the British Army. From 1968, he fought Marxist terrorists, for which he received the Sultans Bravery Medal from The Queen.
After Ranulph relinquished his command, he became the forefront of a number of groundbreaking, and often dangerous, exploratory expeditions, including:
– Jostedalsbreen Glacier Expedition (1967)
– The Nile Hovercraft Expedition (1969)
– Second Jostedalsbreen Glacier Expedition (1970)
– The Headless Valley Expedition (1971)
– Greenland: Hayes Peninsular (1976-78)
– Transglobe – the first surface journey around the world’s polar axis (1979-82)
– North Polar Unsupported Expedition (1986-90)
– Anglo-Soviet North Pole Expedition (1990)
– Ubar Expedition (1991)
– Pentland Pole Expedition – the first unassisted polar journey across the Antarctic Continent (1993)
– The Arctic Solo Expedition (2000)
– Run 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents – which he did four months after a heart attack (2003)
– Climbed the North Face of the Eiger (2007)
– Conquered Mount Everest (2009)
– The Coldest Journey – the first foot journey across Antarctica in the Southern Winter (2013-14)
– Marathon des Sables – a 159-mile run over 6 days in 50c heat through the Sahara Desert (2015)

A prolific writer and charismatic storyteller, Sir Ranulph has published more than 25 books, including best-selling biographies, historical novels, and gripping accounts of his adventures. His autobiography, Mad, Bad and Dangerous to Know, became a bestseller and remains a favourite among adventure enthusiasts.
He is a regular guest on major UK television and radio programmes, including BBC Breakfast, This Morning, The One Show, and various BBC documentaries. His sharp wit, unflinching honesty, and unmatched stories of survival have made him a favourite among producers and viewers alike.

Sir Ranulph’s daring and leadership have earned him many accolades. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for “human endeavour and charitable services” and has received honorary doctorates from several universities. His contribution to exploration and public service has been recognised worldwide, making him an inspirational figure not only in the UK but across the international community.
In 1986, Queen Elizabeth II awarded him the Polar Medal for Outstanding Service to British Polar Exploration and Research (his late wife, Virginia, was the first female to be awarded the same medal).
He was awarded the Sultan of Oman’s Bravery medal in 1970, the Explorers Club of New York medal in 1983, the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s Livingstone gold medal in 1983 and their Founder’s medal in 1984.
Ranulph’s keynote speeches combine breathtaking adventure with practical insights into leadership, resilience, and overcoming adversity. With his distinctive dry humour and captivating storytelling, he draws powerful parallels between extreme exploration and the corporate world.
He has delivered talks for a host of prestigious organisations including HSBC, Shell, IBM, British Airways, Microsoft, Barclays, GlaxoSmithKline, and The Royal Bank of Scotland, among many others.
– Adventure and Sports
– Leadership
– Philanthropy
– Building a Team
– Importance of Creative Thinking
– Living Dangerously: A Life of Adventure
– Nothing is Beyond Your Reach: Motivation, Determination and Resilience
– A Commitment to Challenge: Motivation, Leadership and Teamwork
– Atlantis of the Sands: The Long Search for the Lost City of Ubar
– Transglobe – To The Ends of the Earth: Journey around the Earth’s polar axis
Ranulph is available for Q&As, motivational keynote or after-dinner speeches, conference moderating and event hosting.
I have attended a number of Ranulph Feinne’s keynote speeches to the UK Marketing Forum. We have had top-level business leaders, the best educationists, knights of the realm and American gurus. None of them approached your address to us in range, content or inspiration. On rare occasions, something happens that one feels will live in memory for years to come and your address to us emphatically fits into this category.
Chief Executive, Unilever UK and US
I have never in my experience been approached by so many customers and BT colleagues who have complimented us on our selection of an after dinner speaker.
BT
Ranulph Feinne’s keynote speech was incredibly captivating, inspirational and humorous. He did a great job of understanding the audience and was very easy to work with throughout the event. To top it off, it was the first time we have had a standing ovation at this event which speaks volumes considering previous speakers include Lord Seb Coe.
DABO & Co