"You have defied great odds and extreme conditions in your endeavor; your courage, perseverance, and determination have been an inspiration to us all. I offer you my warm congratulations." - Queen Elizabeth II
Pen Hadow is an explorer whose prominence as a pioneer in the North Pole region has been established through his expedition guide service, international research programmes, record-breaking feats, and conservation missions. Most notably, he is the only person to have solo trekked, without resupply, from Canada to the North Pole, and his $10 million programme of non-governmental scientific research, the Catlin Arctic Surveys, on the Arctic Ocean is without equal. Now committed to protecting our planet’s biodiversity, Pen has become a quintessential explorer and a highly sought-after keynote speaker who improves understanding of our impacts on and relationship with the natural world’s resources and processes.
To date, Pen has spent an impressive 10,000 hours on the Arctic Ocean. But it is his 2003 iconic trek that he is best known for – a feat that began in Ward Hunt Island in Canada and terminated 770km and 64 days later in the Geographic North Pole. Recounting this incredible journey, Pen authored Solo: Alone & Unsupported to the North Pole. In 2004, Pen completed a 1200km trek with Simon Murray to the South Geographic Pole, raising $450,000 for the Royal Geographical Society. Pen is also renowned for the Catlin Arctic Surveys, a series of surveys observing the thickness of the sea ice, ocean acidification, thermos-haline circulation and marine pollution. As a result of these surveys, Pen co-edited Catlin Arctic Survey: Investigating the Changing Arctic Ocean Environment. In 2017, Pen's Arctic Mission saw two 50' yachts sail to the North Pole's high seas region, the first vessels in history to do so under their own power and without icebreaker support.
Believing that the exploration and conservation of the natural world has never been more urgent or important, Pen is now the Executive Director of the 90 North Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to the protection of the northernmost ocean waters, undertaking a variety of public education programmes and research projects to advocate for conservation. Previously, Pen set up the world's first guide service to the North Pole, working as the Director of The Polar Travel Company. He has also worked as the Director of Geo Mission, a pioneering environmental sponsorship agency, co-organised the first all-women expedition to the North Pole in 1997 and enabled the first physically disabled adventurers to achieve their dream of reaching the Pole. Pen is also an Honorary Vice-President of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society and the Scientific Exploration Society, an Honorary Patron of British Exploring and President of the OH Adventures.
When hired as a keynote speaker, Pen Hadow emphasises the importance of protecting our planet’s biodiversity and preserving it for future generations. Declared a Hero of the Environment by TIME Magazine, Pen’s speeches are designed to make an impact, offering hard-won insights from a life as a leading polar explorer. His speeches span environmental advocacy and extreme performance, highlighting resilience, innovation and achieving more with limited resources. Pen Hadow has been a frequent speaker for HRH King Charles III's charities on sustainability, along with a keynote for Lloyds of London alongside NATO's Secretary-General. He has also delivered speeches for Shell, British Airways, Lloyds Bank, BT and the British Olympic Association, to name but a few. If you are looking for a pioneering explorer and conservation advocate to speak at your next event, hire Pen Hadow today.
Books
Solo: The North Pole Alone & Unsupported
Pen Hadow's official speaking topics are listed below:
Personal Performance, Motivation & Resilience -
It's hard to imagine someone whose story better illustrates these topics. Pen Hadow is still the only person in history to have made a successful trek to the North Pole - solo, with no resupplies and by the toughest route.
To succeed in this supremely demanding challenge, Pen developed his own ways to improve his performance in many different fields, as performance coaches for polar explorers don't exist! His examples are jaw-droppingly bold and innovative. Maintaining his motivation over the 15 years it took, including two unsuccessful attempts, is another subject he covers. It turns out such 'failures' offered the essential keys to unlocking the secrets to eventual success.
And to be resilient throughout the many trials he faced, while alone for 75 days in one of the world's most extreme environments, was no accident. He reveals how his resilience was fortified by the specific psychological techniques he learnt to be able to control unhelpful emotions like recurring dejection, occasional fear and even outright panic.
Global Sustainability, Corporate Responsibility, ESG & Global Biodiversity -
Few scientists or conservationists can talk as compellingly on these increasingly sought-after topics. And none have 'walked the walk' like Pen, who made the only trek in history to the North Pole, solo and by the toughest route.
Pen went on to lead a pioneering £8 million research programme on the Arctic Ocean before setting up the ocean conservation charity, 90 North Foundation, to establish the world's largest marine wildlife reserve around the North Pole. His increasingly public-facing international leadership for his work ensures his talks are grounded in reality, well-informed and, most importantly, inspiring for audiences.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
"You have defied great odds and extreme conditions in your endeavour; your courage, perseverance, and determination have been an inspiration to us all. I offer you my warm congratulations." – Queen Elizabeth II
"I wanted to pass on to each of you my great admiration and congratulations for such a tremendous achievement in your expedition to the North Pole, a world first. The whole country is delighted, and your courage and fortitude are a marvellous example to us all. You all have a most deserving place in history, and we are very proud of you." – Tony Blair
"We had some audio issues on the day, which Pen dealt with like a true pro and powered on, ensuring that the room could still hear him. I was sitting at the very back, and I heard every word. The audience remained very much engaged throughout." – Mark, Production Co-ordinator, Meet and Potato
"We have received amazing feedback from Pen. Everyone agreed it was a truly inspirational talk, and everyone who attended left really fired up to continue their net-zero journeys. There was a real desire to change business behaviours. Pen was professional, with a great mix of humour and informative angles, leaving everyone captivated." – Bethany, Senior Events Co-ordinator, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce
"I’m pleased to say that the event went really well yesterday. Pen is such a great storyteller, and his talk was gripping and really enjoyable to watch. Thank you very much for helping organise this." – Aiysha, MUFG
"Pen was amazing, just amazing. Richard was extremely impressed with his presentation and with Pen himself. I thought he was utterly charming and a real gentleman. He was an outstanding speaker, and we have received many compliments on his presentation. It was a real pleasure to meet him. Thank you both so much." – Tracey, Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co
"Fantastic presentation. I believe the silence among the 400 delegates in the room indicated how intrigued we all were with your story and your can-do message. I heard a lot of positive comments from customers and colleagues later that day." – Marketing Manager, DICOM Europe
"You have a gift and should use it. Few can communicate with a level of engagement and intensity like that." – Founder, The Body Shop
"He was inspiring, funny, and really kept the interest of his 900-strong audience. Our numb bottoms were forgotten. Pen made my daughter feel that if he could carry on fighting to succeed, so could she. He was also incredibly kind to the special needs students, many of whom needed his help to understand what to do next. He is a talented, kind man, with a core of steel beneath that pleasant exterior. It appears he helped my daughter find her own steel." – Duchy College audience member
"Your inspiring account held the audience captivated. Your achievement and the humbling pathway to it are epic. The humour, humility, and underlying steely determination in your delivery were deeply engaging. The course staff, guests, and I have been left genuinely enthused and positively affected. Thank you for an incredible talk. I have been inspired." – Commanding Officer, Junior Officers’ Tactics Division, Land Warfare School, Warminster
"It was fantastic to meet you, and congratulations on your fascinating and inspiring presentation." – Steve, RSM Restructuring Advisory
"I was responsible for hosting a very important industry event and was looking for a guest speaker on leadership at an affordable price. Pen was simply brilliant. This is a man who is truly inspirational. If you want a speaker who can lift your spirits and demonstrate how to achieve the impossible against all odds, Pen should be your first choice. Thank you, Pen." – Carol, Executive PA, Chorley Building Society
"Pen was excellent. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an engaging and interesting speaker. His story is fascinating, and he tailored the underlying messages perfectly for our audience. He was a great addition to our conference." – Claire, CORGI Technical Services Ltd
"Pen was absolutely brilliant. We’ve received great feedback on the session. The way he subtly wove Indivior’s key messages into the presentation was particularly impressive. The client loved it." – Bella, Succinct Communications
"He was great. Excellent feedback from the delegates, and the session really inspired them to think differently. He was a joy to work with, and thanks for the suggestion." – Simon, Succinct Choice
"We would like to thank you for opening the second day with your experience, which was truly inspirational. Your talk, ‘The Art of the Possible in the Face of Adversity: Insights from the North Pole’, contributed significantly to the programme and encouraged delegates to think differently. The session was very well received, and we were delighted with the feedback throughout the event." – 9th Regional Oncology Forum
"I wanted to send thanks again to Pen for his session yesterday. His talk was of great interest and very well received by our colleagues. On behalf of the Executive team, thank you for an engaging and informative session." – Alene, Chief Operating Officer, MSC
- 2025 - Addressed the UN IMO Assembly on biodiversity protection for the North Pole region
- 2025 - Interviewed by The Guardian, "I fought a polar bear with a saucepan"
- 2023 - Winner of the Shackleton Medal for the Protection of the Polar Regions
- 2021- Chief Executive of 90 North Foundation
- 2017- Led the first vessel without icebreaker support into the Antarctic Ocean
- 2017- Launched the Arctic Mission programme
- 2011- Conducted the third part of the Catlin Arctic Survey
- 2009- Conducted the second part of the Catlin Arctic Survey
- 2009- Recipient of the World Technology Awards for Environment
- 2009- Named ‘Hero of the Environment’ by TIME magazine
- 2007- Founder and Leader of the Catlin Arctic Survey
- 2006- Chairman, Sir Wally Herbert Gala Testimonial at the Royal Geographical Society
- 2006- Nominated for the Paul Morrison Guide Award
- 2004- Nominated for the ‘Best Innovation Worldwide, Self-Supervised Safety Award’ by the Energy Institute
- 2004- Became the only Briton, without resupply by third parties, to complete an expedition to the North and South Geographic Poles from their continental coasts.
- 2003- Top 100 Newspaper Front Pages by the British Library
- 2003- Named ‘Best Global Adventurer’ by La Marca
- 2003- Became the only solo person, without resupply by third parties, to complete an expedition from Canada to the North Geographic Pole.
- 1997- Co-organised the first all-women expedition to the North Pole
- 1995- Set up the world's first guide service to the North Pole
- 1989- Completed his first Arctic expedition
- 1977- First recorded runner of the ‘Long Ducker’ event
- Honorary Vice-President & Honorary Fellow, Royal Scottish Geographical Society
- Honorary Vice-President, Scientific Exploration Society
- Honorary Patron & Honorary Fellow, British Exploring Society
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws at the University of Exeter
- Honorary Doctorate of Science at the University of Plymouth
How to hire Pen Hadow
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Pen Hadow 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.
