Ant Middleton is the Chief Instructor for Channel 4’s hit show, SAS : Who Dares Wins. Aside from his role as Chief Instructor , 2017 will also see Ant at the forefront of two more huge shows for Channel 4; ‘Mutiny’ and ‘Escape.’
Born in Portsmouth and raised in rural France, Ant set his sights on a career in the armed forces and didn’t stop striving until he achieved his goal. Initially with the Royal Engineers and then the Royal Marines, Ant passed selection for the Special Boat Service (SBS) in 2008 and spent 4 years there.
He was a point man/lead scout and also a primary fires operator and sniper. Prior to joining the SBS, Ant also served in the Royal Marines and 9 Parachute Squadron Royal – meaning that he has achieved the ‘Holy Trinity’ of the UK’s Elite Forces (P Company, Commando Course, UK Special Forces Selection)
Thanks to his huge range of Special Forces experience, Ant has invaluable skills in survival and endurance. His appetite for adventure and extremes has no limit and has lead him to take on some amazing challenges. He has already climbed Mount Elbrus (Russia) and The Matterhorn in preparation to climb Mount Everest in 2017.
Before SAS : Who Dares Wins, Ant transferred his Special Forces skills to personal security and was selected to protect VIPs, including government officials and high profile celebrities, he also operated as a security expert in South Africa and across various other countries for governments in West Africa. He has trained presidential security teams and also ran extreme SAS style corporate events for large companies who wanted to truly experience the extremes of Special Forces selection.
Sqdn. Ldr. John Peters was just a regular RAF pilot, devoted husband and loving father. During the midst of the Gulf War his Tornado was shot down over Iraqi territory and he was captured and kept as a prisoner of war. He was repeatedly beaten and starved and his photo was released to the British press on Iraq TV which provoked mass support for Peter and the war which he was fighting. Since being released John has now taken position as an after dinner speaker. A brave and emotional speaker, guaranteed to captivate any audience with his tales of war and survival.
Ranulph Fiennes is the only man alive ever to have traveled around the Earth’s circumpolar surface (more people have been on the Moon!)
His record-breaking expeditions include travel by riverboat, hovercraft, manhaul sledge, skidoo, Land Rover and ski… and in fact Ran holds the current world record as being the only person ever to have climbed Mount Everest and crossed both Antarctica and the Arctic Ocean via the Poles
Described by The Guinness Book of Records as “the world’s greatest living explorer”. That was back in 1984 since when he has broken many more world records and led many more expeditions to remote regions.
In December 2012, Ranulph set off on his most daring challenge to date – the Coldest Journey on Earth – attempting to make the 2000 mile trip across Antartica in winter. The previous record was 60 miles!
An awe inspiring speaker, with full AV presentation, you will simply be mesmerised by Ranulph’s wit, passion and achievements.
Tori is a multi-talented individual with a passion for extreme adventure in sub
zero temperatures. She grew up on a farm in Pembrokeshire (West Wales) where she claims to have gathered much of her toughness for venturing outside in all weather. After gaining a degree in Geography from Royal Holloway University, Tori spent three years working for the British Exploring which is based at the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) in London. It was during her time working in the attic of the RGS that she became part of a team that was determined to make the record books
At the age of 25, she became the youngest British woman (at that time) and the first Welsh woman to climb to the summit of Mount Everest. Tori stars in the BBC documentary ‘On Top of the World’ which was produced using video footage which she shot and directed whilst climbing Everest. She is also the author of ‘Peak Performance’ which describes her record-breaking climb to the summit.
British yachtswoman Dee Caffari is the first woman to have sailed single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions and the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world three times.
In 2006 Dee became the first woman to sail solo, non-stop, around the world against the prevailing winds and currents and was awarded an MBE in recognition of her achievement.
Dee successfully completed the gruelling Vendée Globe Race in 2009, crossing the finish line in 6th place out of an original fleet of 30 competitors. In June of the same year, Dee and an all-female crew went on to smash the mono-hull speed record around Britain and Ireland. April 2011 saw Dee complete her third non-stop circumnavigation in the double-handed Barcelona World Race.
Dee is involved with a number of competitive sailing campaigns and continues to showcase her talents in other areas such as TV and radio presenting, motivational speaking and supporting her chosen charities.
Known as the fastest man on earth, Wing Commander Andy Green is a Royal Air Force fighter pilot and holder of the World Land Speed Record.
Driving Richard Noble’s Thrust SSC (SuperSonic Car) in 1997, Andy Green set the world’s first and only supersonic land speed record at an astonishing 763 mph, driving literally faster than a speeding bullet. To hear of the huge technological, practical and personal challenges that he and the team had to overcome in pursuit of the ultimate Land Speed Record is to share in a story that you will not quickly forget.
After setting the outright Land Speed Record in 1997, he went on to drive the JCB DIESELMAX car in 2006. He and the team overcame some very different but equally challenging problems to smash the diesel record, setting the new mark at a remarkable 350 mph for the world’s fastest diesel car. Andy Green is now not only the only man in history to have driven supersonic, but also the only man ever to hold outright records in two such different classes of vehicle.
Not content with these records, Andy Green is now the chosen driver for the new BLOODHOUND SuperSonic Car, which aims to exceed the incredible target of 1000 mph! This project, linked through a major education programme into schools across the country, aims to inspire the next generation of young engineers and scientists, while setting the most remarkable Land Speed Record of all time.
Yet despite these remarkable achievements, Andy’s first love is the Royal Air Force. A veteran of combat theatres around the world, he has commanded Royal Air Force operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. His career has included flying the F4 Phantom, Tornado F3 and (briefly) the Harrier. He is now working in the Ministry of Defence, supporting Royal Air Force activity around the globe.
General Sir Mike Jackson served as Chief of the General Staff and Head of the British Army until 2006. Jackson commanded the British troops in Iraq and ordered the inquiry into the press released photo’s depicting alleged torture of Iraqi prisoners by British soldiers. This led to the firing of the Mirror’s editor Piers Morgan when the pictures were discovered to be hoax. Mike’s previous experience is vast and impressive, with his famous statement “I won’t start World War III for you!” General Sir Mike became a well known and respected figure. He is a highly respected member of society and this is well reflected in his after dinner speaking.
Mark Beaumont is a broadcaster who has been adventuring since an early age. When not travelling and taking part in expeditions he is often speaking at events across the UK. He is also involved in various charity and educational work, book writing and is involved in training for his expeditions.
Mark was first inspired to go on expedition at the age of 12 after reading in a local newspaper about a cycle from John O’Groats to Lands End. For the next decade Mark’s ambitions and experience developed until after leaving University he set out to make a career in broadcasting and adventure (and a very successful one at that!)
Mark’s public speaking is both interesting and inspiring. He has been places that many people can only dream of and enjoys sharing his experiences with others. A truly fascinating character and versatile after dinner speaker
Simon’s message is one of single-minded determination, to not only accept what is, but to turn that to your advantage. Simon’s own career as a Welsh-guardsman clearly demonstrates how a positive mental attitude can achieve great business goals. Simon’s irrepressible humour, infectious enthusiasm and immediately engaging personality, have made him the number one choice of many companies who invite him back to speak time and again. An inspiring and moving keynote speaker, Simon is also a wonderful and humorous after dinner speaker.
Miles went blind in his early twenties, but has not let that stop him from achieving his dreams. As a popular after-dinner and corporate speaker, Miles weaves together rich anecdotes and humour with powerful life-lessons he has learnt whilst overcoming his blindness. He reminds his audiences that “attitude is what determines altitude” and that we too can live our dreams, because “the only limits in our lives are those we accept ourselves”