Steve Backshall is a captivating figure in television, renowned for his adventurous spirit and comprehensive knowledge of wildlife and the natural world. A dynamic and engaging speaker, he won two BAFTA Awards in 2011 for 'Deadly 60' and was appointed an MBE in 2020 for services to charity and wildlife conservation. Steve’s charisma and enthusiasm leave audiences inspired and motivated; whether at keynote speeches, Q&A sessions, panel discussions or fireside chats, he shares inspiring insights on resilience, leadership, sustainability and high performance.
Steve’s television career is particularly impressive for its breadth and depth. In 2023, he traveled across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans for Sky TV's groundbreaking series 'Whale', which highlights the plight of endangered marine species. Additionally, he returned to BBC One with the second installment of 'Our Changing Planet', an ambitious seven-year project tracking the impact of environmental change on critical ecosystems. Steve’s ability to present complex scientific content in an accessible and engaging manner has raised public awareness about conservation issues and established him as a leading figure in environmental documentary filmmaking.
His adventurous exploits extend beyond television. Steve has led overseas expeditions and explored some of the most incredible places on the planet. A notable example is his harrowing ascent of Mount Upuigma for BBC One’s 'Lost Land of the Jaguar', where he and his team scaled sheer cliffs and endured extreme conditions to discover new species. In 2023, Steve showcased immense resilience and determination by breaking the world record for the fastest time to paddle the length of the Thames River, demonstrating his physical prowess and deep passion for adventure.
In addition to his on-screen achievements, Steve is a prolific author with 19 books to his name. His most recent, 'Deep Blue', published in September 2023, quickly became a bestseller. That same year, he also toured his sell-out UK show ' Ocean'. In 2025, he launched a highly successful podcast at Canterbury Christ Church University, allowing him to reach a broader audience with his messages about nature and exploration. Most recently, he filmed the ITV documentary special 'Royal Arctic Challenge', toured his 'Deadly Live!' show and partnered with Historic Dockyard Chatham on The Awesome Oceans Family Trail.
Overall, Steve Backshall’s remarkable career, characterised by his adventurous spirit, dynamic personality, and commitment to conservation, makes him a fascinating and inspiring guest speaker and a beloved figure in households worldwide. His TV roles such as 'The Secret Life of Bees' on Channel 5, 'Ice Age: A Frozen Planet', 'Deadly 60', 'Whale with Steve Backshall', and the BBC series 'Our Changing Planet' demonstrate his exceptional ability to educate, entertain and inspire audiences while championing wildlife and the natural world. Steve's available for hosting, TV appearances and speaking engagements.
Steve Backshall's official speaking topics are listed below:
Corporate Speaking Topics
- Leadership
- Resilience
- Self-Learning
- Optimising Your Potential
- Overcoming Obstacles
- Facing Fears
- Positive Mudset
Wildlife Speaking Topics
- Wildlife & Conservation
- Animal Behaviour
- Dangerous & Misunderstood Animals
- Adventure & Wildlife Exploration
- Human Impact on NaturePositive Mindset
“Steve’s speech couldn’t have been more inspirational. We booked him for the very start of the day, which was perfect as he ignited an urgent and hopeful passion in the students that lasted all day. We asked students what their favourite part of the day was, and before we could even finish the question, they were screaming Steve’s name. Many of them said they are now going to go home and take action for the climate. A big thank you from the Suffolk Youth Climate Conference Team. The only downside of having Steve is not knowing how we are going to top him next year!” - Emma, Suffolk Climate Change Partnership Manager
“Steve Backshall gave an excellent talk that had us all enthralled from the start. He provided the perfect blend of career highlights interspersed with personal memories from his childhood. We didn't want it to end but when it did he generously gave his time to allow photos and 'selfies' with his many fans.” - Suffolk Youth Climate Conference
"Not only was he totally engrossing and fantastically well-received, but he was really friendly and totally professional." - Aston University
"He provided the perfect blend of career highlights interspersed with personal memories from his childhood." - Reamains High School
- 2026 - Partnered with Historic Dockyard Chatham on The Awesome Oceans Family Trail
- 2026 - Announced the return of his Deadly Live! UK arena tour
- 2025 - Filmed the ITV documentary special 'Royal Arctic Challenge'
- 2025 - Received an honorary doctorate from Canterbury Christ Church University
- 2025 - Launched a new live wildlife podcast at the Cheltenham Science Festival
- 2023 - Broke the world record for fastest Thames River paddle
- 2023 - Toured the UK with sell-out show ‘Ocean’
- 2023 - Author of 'Deep Blue'
- 2023 - Fronted the CBBC youth television series 'Deadly Mission Shark'
- 2022 - Author of 'Wildlings: How to Raise Your Family in Nature'
- 2020 - Appointed an MBE for services to charity and wildlife conservation
- 2019 - Author of 'Expedition Adventures'
- 2017 - Raised £360,000 for the World Land Trust to win Charity Fundraiser of the Year
- 2016 - Author of 'Steve Backshall’s Wildlife Adventurer’s Guide'
- 2014 - Author of 'Wilds of the Wolf'
- 2012 - Awarded the legendary Blue Peter Gold Badge
- 2011 - Won the Best Children's Presenter BAFTA
- 2011 - Won the Best Factual Series at the BAFTA Awards
- 2008 - Spearheaded and launched the flagship TV franchise 'Deadly 60'
How to hire Steve Backshall
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Steve Backshall for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.





