Mark Wood is an accomplished British explorer, environmental educator and keynote speaker whose unique blend of frontline experience and storytelling makes him a compelling presence at any event. A dynamic and engaging speaker, Mark brings real-world lessons from the planet’s most extreme environments into corporate boardrooms, school halls and global conferences. One of his greatest accomplishments is completing solo expeditions to both the Geographic North and South Poles, a feat achieved by only a handful of individuals in modern exploration.
Mark’s journey began in the Fire and Rescue Service, where he developed the mental toughness and discipline that would later define his expeditions. He went on to serve in the British Army, which gave him a deep understanding of leadership in hostile conditions. These early experiences equipped him with the resilience, focus and self-reliance needed to survive in some of the harshest climates on Earth. His transition from military life to polar exploration was driven by a desire to both challenge himself and use adventure as a tool for wider impact, particularly in education and climate awareness.
Over the course of his career, Mark has completed over 40 major expeditions, including a solo South Pole expedition in 2011, a solo unsupported crossing to the Geographic North Pole in 2012, and a live-streamed Mount Everest summit in 2013, which reached more than 10,000 students globally. In 2017, he was named one of Skype’s top five global communicators, and in 2024, he led an extraordinary Arctic expedition to Svalbard, taking ten students with additional needs into the field. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Explorer-in-Residence at the University of Warwick, and former Chair of The Explorers Club’s Great Britain and Ireland Chapter. His outreach projects have reached over 1.2 million students, combining education with meaningful environmental action.
People book Mark for his unmatched ability to connect personal endurance with leadership, innovation and purpose. He speaks on topics such as decision-making under pressure, resilience, climate change, and thinking differently - all drawn from real experiences in life-or-death scenarios. Mark’s insights are particularly relevant to organisations navigating high-stress environments, change management or global challenges. Whether in-person or virtual, his talks empower audiences to reframe their thinking, embrace challenge, and engage more deeply with the world around them.
Mark Wood's official speaker topics are listed below:
- Thinking Different
- Below Zero Decision Making
- Pioneers and Modern-Day Exploration
- My Life in a Freezer
- Leadership and Peak Performance
- Drive and Determination
- True Tests and Rationale
- Facing Fear in Harsh Environments
- Isolation and the Explorer’s Life
- Resilience in the Real World
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
"Mark is a world class explorer who has a unique ability to bring his adventures to audiences around the planet." - Andy, Managing Director, Pearl Consulting
"Mark is a wonderfully eloquent, entertaining and inspiring speaker... he can make you feel like anything is possible." - Georgina, Deputy Director of Fundraising, Ambitious about Autism
"Mark has a natural ability to effortlessly link the outdoors and the rigours of exploration with the everyday business environment." - Jon, Director General, Institute of Directors
"An excellent expedition leader, his mission to inspire young people is remarkable." - Ief, Positive Impact Facilitator, The Explorers Club
"Mark excels at inspiring talks to business people or captivating the next generations with tales of his escapades." - Paul, Founder, St. Pierre Group
"Mark provides insights into the world around us that just can't be learned in a classroom." - Nicholas, Headmaster, The British School of Paris
"Incredible five days in Svalbard with Mark - ife-changing for students and unforgettable for us all." - Rory, Chair, Explorers Club GB & Ireland Chapter
- 2024 – Led Arctic expedition to Svalbard with ten students with additional needs
- 2019 – Summited Everest again during The People’s Moon project
- 2013 – Live-streamed Mount Everest summit to 10,000+ students worldwide
- 2012 – Completed first solo unsupported crossing to the Geographic North Pole
- 2011 – Completed solo expedition to the South Pole
- 2010 – Documented dog mushing expedition in Alaska
- 2009 – Led Grise Fiord live expedition, first man-haul method used
- 2007 – Crossed Oman’s desert
- 2006 – Supported BBC’s Top Gear expedition to the Magnetic North Pole
- 2004 – Led expedition across Ellesmere Island to the Geomagnetic North Pole
How to hire Mark Wood
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Mark Wood 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.
