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Keynote Speaker
John Volanthen
World Record-Holding British Cave Diver Who Played a Key Role in the 2018 Tham Luang Thailand Cave Rescue
Popular talks
- Managing risk — Keeping Calm in a Crisis
- Diving Deeper Into Business
- Harnessing Teamwork and Trust
Talks
Popular talks by John Volanthen
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Managing risk — Keeping Calm in a Crisis
Volanthen takes his audiences on a remarkable and unforgettable journey, deep into the Tham Luang caves of Thailand where he and his diving partner finally located the missing young soccer team and their coach in the summer of 2018. Volanthen’s gripping multimedia presentation follows the process the divers took to…
Volanthen takes his audiences on a remarkable and unforgettable journey, deep into the Tham Luang caves of Thailand where he and his diving partner finally located the missing young soccer team and their coach in the summer of 2018. Volanthen’s gripping multimedia presentation follows the process the divers took to search for, find and help guide the boys to safety in a complex rescue that many believed would end in tragedy. Drawing on his thirty years of civilian cave exploration, diving, and rescue work, he shares the lessons that are key to performing under high-pressure and amid great uncertainty. Lessons he believes anyone can learn to lead with calm, focus, and certainty in any situation.
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Diving Deeper Into Business
Volanthen firmly believes that the passion and skills developed for cave exploration and rescue directly translate to business. Having founded and exited two IT businesses, he has successfully applied skills more often used in challenging underground environments to create high-performing workplaces. Offering sobering tales from underwater exploration and rescue, Volanthen…
Volanthen firmly believes that the passion and skills developed for cave exploration and rescue directly translate to business. Having founded and exited two IT businesses, he has successfully applied skills more often used in challenging underground environments to create high-performing workplaces. Offering sobering tales from underwater exploration and rescue, Volanthen draws parallels between cave diving and business environments, showing how to remain calm under pressure, make good decisions and work steadily toward goals, even in seemingly impossible situations. Perfect for audiences seeking inspiration, with a good dose of practical advice and realism.
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Harnessing Teamwork and Trust
From cave rescue missions to meeting business goals, teamwork is a critical element to countless endeavours. Using anecdotes from decades of cave diving experience, Volanthen explains how skilled individuals can be brought together to achieve what may appear impossible. Through the lens of the Thai cave rescue Volanthen provides an…
From cave rescue missions to meeting business goals, teamwork is a critical element to countless endeavours. Using anecdotes from decades of cave diving experience, Volanthen explains how skilled individuals can be brought together to achieve what may appear impossible. Through the lens of the Thai cave rescue Volanthen provides an emotive story of the rescue of 13 trapped youths, detailing how teamwork and collaboration can cross cultural and national boundaries to yield spectacular results. Covering core topics such as trust, negotiation, leadership and influencing, as well as touching on self-care and team welfare, Volanthen explains how lessons learned in the harsh underground environment translate directly to improved business and team performance.
Biography
About John Volanthen
John Volanthen is a world record-holding British cave diver who has been involved in cave exploration and rescue for more than two decades. He began caving at the age of 14 and has been at the forefront of cave exploration since. In 2018, he played a key role in the Tham Luang Thailand cave rescue and was named one of TIME magazine’s “Heroes of the Year.” The courageous mission was chronicled in the National Geographic documentary The Rescue, as well as the book Thirteen Lessons That Saved Thirteen Lives: The Thai Cave Rescue and the critically acclaimed Hollywood film, Thirteen Lives, in which Volanthen is played by Colin Farrell.
Volanthen has been involved in exploring and mapping caves throughout the world, often with dive partner Rick Stanton. Volanthen and Stanton attended the Tham Luang incident in Thailand, where the duo were able to locate the missing children — something not even special forces were able to do. They then planned and executed their successful rescue, leading the team two-and-a-half kilometers through the flooded caves. A video of Volanthen and Stanton making initial contact with the team has since gone viral globally. Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Volanthen takes his audiences on an unforgettable journey deep into the Tham Luang caves of Thailand as he shares lessons that are key to performing in high-pressure situations and reveals how those principles can be applied by any organization working toward its goals.
In 2004, Volanthen and Stanton set a British record for greatest depth achieved in a British cave, cave diving 76 meters (249 feet) at Wookey Hole in Somerset. Additionally, in 2011, Volanthen, set a world record for longest cave penetration dive, over 10 kilometers in the Pozo Azul cave system in northern Spain, involving a multi-day operation.
Volanthen has designed and built diving equipment for 20 years, adapting units commercially available, and building other equipment to meet the unique requirements of individual caves. Problem solving and ‘out of the box’ thinking have been pivotal to his success.
In addition to Tham Luang, John has been involved in a number of other search, rescue, and recovery incidents around the world and has been awarded the George Medal for bravery. He is one of only two people to have been awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold medals by the Royal Humane society for his efforts.
How to book John Volanthen
Answers on fees, availability and booking process.
How do I book John Volanthen for a keynote speech?
You can book John Volanthen through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with John's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
What are John Volanthen's speaking fees?
John Volanthen's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for John tailored to your event.
What topics does John Volanthen speak about?
John Volanthen speaks on Adventurer, Change, Leadership, Performance, Teamwork. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with John to align the content with your delegates and goals.
Is John Volanthen available for international events?
London Speaker Bureau can book John Volanthen for events worldwide, subject to John's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Does John Volanthen deliver virtual or online keynotes?
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether John Volanthen is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
How long is a typical keynote by John Volanthen?
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what John can accommodate.
Can John Volanthen tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?
London Speaker Bureau will brief John Volanthen on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what John can offer.
What languages does John Volanthen present in?
John Volanthen delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
What makes John Volanthen a strong fit as a keynote speaker?
John Volanthen's areas of expertise include Adventurer, Change, Leadership, Performance, Teamwork. To get a clear sense of John's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
What kind of events can John Volanthen speak at?
John Volanthen can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Adventurer, Change, Leadership, Performance, Teamwork is relevant. Details of John's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Does John Volanthen offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what John Volanthen is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
How far in advance should we book John Volanthen?
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with John Volanthen, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check John's current availability for your dates.