Robert Swan
Robert Swan, OBE is a polar explorer, environmental leader and the first person ever to have walked to the North and South poles. He is an exceptionally gifted communicator and is regarded as one of the world's top motivational speakers.
By age of 33, Robert Swan became the first person to walk to both the North and South Poles, earning his place in history alongside the great explorers and adventurers. His 900 mile journey to the South Pole, 'In the Footsteps of Scott', stands as the longest unassisted walk ever made on earth. During his expeditions, Swan experienced firsthand the effects of global warming at both Poles. In Antarctica, his eyes forever changed color after prolonged exposure under the hole in the ozone layer. In the Arctic, his team survived near-death encounters in a melting ocean, prematurely caused by global warming. These powerful experiences only helped to shape and focus Swan's lifetime goal: working towards the preservation of Antarctica as the last great wilderness on earth. In 1992, on completion of the walks to both poles, Robert Swan was charged by world leaders at the first 'World Summit for Sustainable Development', held in Rio de Janeiro, to undertake a ten year global and local environmental mission involving industry, business and young people. Upon the successful completion of the missions, Swan reported back to world leaders at the second World Summit in 2002, held in Johannesburg. Here he committed to a further ten-year mission to inspire youth to become sustainable leaders and promote the use of renewable energy for a sustainable future. Swan's unique insights and lessons learned have enabled him to educate and stimulate young people and business leaders all around the world. He compares his icy experiences to boardroom maneuvers and his inspirational addresses on leadership and teamwork have received acclaim from discerning audiences worldwide. His contribution to both education and the environment have been recognized through his appointment as UN Goodwill Ambassador for Youth, a visiting Professor of the School of the Environment at Leeds University and in 1994 he became Special Envoy to the Director General of UNESCO. He was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1995. During 2003 Robert and his company, 2041, delivered the first corporate Antarctic Expeditions on teamwork and leadership through positive participation and real missions. Throughout the five following years, the 'Inspire Antarctic Expeditions' (IAE) teams have helped design and build the world's first education station (The E-Base) in Antarctica. In March 2008, Swan made Antarctic history again by living solely on renewable energy at the E-Base for over two weeks. He also managed to raise over US $45 million for global causes in the past 20 years. Currently Robert Swan is on a five-year global 'Voyage for Cleaner Energy' aboard his renewable energy sailboat, which will conclude at the third World Summit, currently expected to take place in Singapore. Swan aims to showcase sustainable living practices and transport alternatives that run solely on renewable energy. Regarded by many as one of the world's top motivational speakers, his experiences from the past 25 years have evolved into an exceptional and dramatic story of success, failure, the ability to learn from one's mistakes and ultimately, inspiring others to pursue their dreams. In his talks, Robert Swan emphasizes the importance of inspiration, leadership and teamwork. His unique insights from expeditions to the world's most hazardous locations help Swan to engage, educate and stimulate his global audiences. Each year Robert Swan presents to a diverse range of audiences in the corporate, non-profit and educational world. Recent high profile clients include companies such as BP, Coca-Cola, Akzo Nobel, Shell, Credit Suisse, Nokia, Unilever, Philips, HSBC, HP and many more.
What he presents:
Leadership On The Edge
Motivation
Communication
Environment and Ecology
Adventure / Travel
Teamwork and Team Building