Des Powell is a former SAS Sergeant Major and the Sunday Times bestselling co-author of ‘SAS Bravo Three Zero’ and ‘SAS: My Trial by Fire’. Now a captivating speaker, Des engages his audiences through his gripping tales of his over two-decade-long military career and his extraordinary experiences within the elite special forces.
At just 19, Des joined the British Army, beginning in the Parachute Regiment (Paras). Here, he spent eight years specialising in unarmed combat and high-altitude free-fall parachuting. He advanced through the ranks to become a physical training instructor for the 1st Battalion. In 1986, Des joined the SAS after successfully passing one of the toughest selection processes. He served for over twenty years in counterterrorism and special covert operations throughout South-East Europe, South America, Africa, and the Middle East. His resilience and grit saw him rise to Sergeant Major, demonstrating his leadership, discipline and strength.
Following his military career, Des became involved in the private security sector, offering security consultancy and close protection to celebrities, VIPs, journalists, media companies, and even charities operating in high-risk territories. Des is also the author of two books. His first, ‘SAS Bravo Three Zero’, details the incredible story of one of the SAS patrols deployed during the first Gulf War and the lessons learned from being behind enemy lines. His second book, ‘SAS: My Trial by Fire’, reveals the truth about the determination needed to join the army and, in particular, the SAS. Through his latter book, he highlights the SAS’s ethos: humility, humour, discipline, classless society, and the drive for excellence.
Drawing from high-stakes missions, Des engages audiences with incredible talks on courage, leadership, and mental fortitude. Businesses, teams and individuals leave inspired and equipped with the determination to take on challenges with a clear strategy, strong durability, openness to collaboration, and the desire to operate with excellence. By immersing people with his gripping stories from the SAS and beyond, Des offers events, summits, and conferences an experience like no other.
Social Media
Books
SAS Bravo Three Zero
SAS: My Trial By Fire: True Stories and Life Lessons from SAS Selection
Des Powell's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Leadership & Resilience
- Risk Management & Security
- Collaboration & Teamwork
- Special Forces Experiences
- 2025 – Published ‘SAS: My Trial by Fire’
- 2021 – Published ‘SAS: Bravo Three Zero’
- 1991 – Deployed in one of SAS patrols in the first Gulf War
- 1986 – Joined the SAS
- 1977 – Joined the Armed Forces in the Parachute Regiment
How to hire Des Powell
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Des Powell 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.
