Benedict Allen Profile Picture

Keynote SpeakerBenedict Allen

One of Britain’s most prominent modern-day explorers. Speaker, Presenter, Filmmaker, and Author

Described by the Radio Times as ‘Britain’s most fearless man’ and by former Director-General of the BBC Mark Thompson as ‘Part of the history of television’, world-renowned explorer Benedict Allen skillfully adapts his host of hair-raising tales to motivate and invigorate audiences. Known for his techniques of immersion among indigenous... Read more

Biography

Described by the Radio Times as ‘Britain’s most fearless man’ and by former Director-General of the BBC Mark Thompson as ‘Part of the history of television’, world-renowned explorer Benedict Allen skillfully adapts his host of hair-raising tales to motivate and invigorate audiences. Known for his techniques of immersion among indigenous communities and solo-exploring some of the planet’s most remote landscapes, Allen has voluntarily endured excruciating experiences all in the name of discovery.

Benedict has been credited as the first TV adventurer. In 1992, Benedict began filming his expeditions through an innovation of the time, a hand-held video recorder. The novel idea allowed millions to finally witness the life of an explorer without the artifice of a larger crew, re-defining the landscape of TV itself.

In 2017, Allen went missing while undertaking a solo expedition to part of Papua New Guinea. He had set out to meet with the Yaifo tribe with whom he had lived 30 years prior. Having tackled the notorious Central Range, trapped in dense jungle with rival communities at war, Benedict contracted malaria and dengue fever. With no phone or GPS, it was only when he failed to attend a talk in Hong Kong that his disappearance sparked an international media manhunt. Ultimately, Benedict was extracted by helicopter. To this day, Benedict opts to rely not on his Western companions and technology, but solely on the skills and knowledge of the indigenous communities within which he immerses himself.

As well as having shared his experiences through 6 television series and multiple bestselling books, Benedict enjoys motivating audience through his talks. He aspires to educate, entertain and inspire through personal anecdotes. When speaking of thriving in a competitive world, Allen compares his own extraordinary experiences of survival to the global ‘jungle’ we all inhabit, whether that be the office, the marketplace or the world economy. Themes Allen touches upon include how to respond in a crisis; the value of perseverance; the importance of adaptability; maintaining self-belief; creating an effective team; developing leadership capabilities; being able to listen to and learn from those around you.

Whether at a corporate event, in an educational setting, at a festival, or at a trade show, with key themes including endurance, self-belief, discipline and motivation, Benedict’s extensive knowledge, wide-ranging experiences and unwavering resolve are guaranteed to inspire and leave his audience thinking. Book Benedict Allen and stir your audiences with lasting tales of adventure and resilience.

Popular Talks by Benedict Allen

  • Adventure
  • Survival
  • Leadership
  • Motivation
  • Risk