“A wonderful talk that reflected perfectly the reasons why we love Geography”
– Sir Michael Palin
“Your inspiring, insightful and heartfelt speech was a highlight. Sharing such a personal story about your struggles, and the role the environment played in your recovery, was one which has struck a chord with so many of those who were there. It is something I hope will stay with our staff and motivate them in their day to day work. I know it has done that for me.” – Clare Pillman, Chief Executive, Natural Resources Wales.
“I had no prior interest in becoming an explorer… however, after hearing your talk with Astronaut Tim Peake, I was more fascinated by what there is to discover here on Earth, than what’s out there in space.” – Delegate, New Scientist Live.
“Everyone who attended was really engrossed and engaged in your amazing tales of your expeditions.” – St Mary’s School, Hull
Will loves to speak about his adventures, his jungle expeditions and his life spent living and working alongside some of the planet’s remotest peoples.
There are no limitations to the venues or audiences: Will is as happy talking to a small gathering of Primary Age Children in a local Scout Hut, as he is to a theatre audience or leaders of Business.
He has spoken frequently at the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), including three times at their prestigious Monday Night Lectures. He has twice toured on the RGS regional lecture theatre circuit across England and Wales, and throughout Scotland with the Royal Scottish Geographical Society..
Independent bookings have included a vast range of events and locations: St.James’ Palace for the DofE Gold Awards, an audience of 5,000 in the Excel Arena for New Scientist Live with astronaut Tim Peake, the National Geographic Store in London, the Wilderness Lectures, Adventure Travel Live, and at many other adventure and literature Festivals including the Hay Festival, Cheltenham Literature Festival, Grassington Literary Festival, Kings Lynn Festival, ‘The Big One’ fishing festival in Farnborough, Ashbourne Festival and Between The Trees.
He is equally adept at applying the lessons from his adventures to the corporate and work environment, delivering keynote speeches for Natural Resources Wales, the European Environmental Heads, Bowel Cancer UK, The National Museum in Cardiff, and numerous other team-building days for both the private and public sector.
Subjects include life lessons from living with tribes as part of his landmark BBC series, surviving trauma, essential organisation, survival priorities, environmental (and mental) recovery and his specialist experience with PTSD.
Will is also a regular school speaker with his hugely popular Ask The Explorer and The Magic of Fish workshops, both ideal for KS1 and KS2 – and fully adaptable for SEN. Will can communicate to children on a range of topics from his work, weaving in themes of multiculturalism and mutual respect for people from very different places, or, local environmentalism and why rivers are so important. In all instances, his school talks are fully illustrated with images from Will’s archive and can include hands-on exhibits from his many adventures, plus live animals from his vast collection of exotic and native species!
If you would like to book Will for your event, get in touch via the Contact tab.