BIOGRAPHY
Described by the Times as “living proof that humans really can reach new peaks”, Ann’s initial experience of the polar world was as a key member of a relay expedition to the North Pole in 1997. As a mother of triplets with zero knowledge about the outdoors, Ann was selected from hundreds of applicants to join the first team of this unique relay after spending nine months teaching herself everything from navigating with a compass in whiteout conditions to cooking on a stove the size of a grapefruit. On this first expedition, Ann was tasked with crossing the toughest sections of Arctic ice in the coldest weather that any of the five relay groups experienced.

Fired up by her experiences in temperatures cold enough to freeze skin instantly, Ann and four colleagues from the relay went on to organise and accomplish a 700 mile expedition across Antarctica to the South Pole.

A couple of years after that stunning achievement, Ann invited two friends from the South Pole team to join her on a return expedition to the North Pole. This time there would be no relay: the trio would cover the entire distance on their own. After one team member had to be evacuated part-way through the expedition, Ann reached the Pole with her remaining colleague, achieving their Guinness world record on June 1st 2002.

After her record-breaking expedition to both poles, Ann was invited to join the ground-breaking 2009 Catlin Arctic Survey as head of field operations.  In order to facilitate this environmental study of the Arctic Ocean, Ann was tasked with finding safe routes for the team of scientists across the ice. Since 2009, she has taken on the role of Explorer Team leader for both the 2010 and 2011 Catlin Arctic Surveys, and has now spent over 365 days living on the Arctic ice.

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKING
Ann is Britain’s first female polar guide, and has led groups of men and women on last degree expeditions to the North Pole. She believes that people can achieve what they set out to do if they start with the right attitude and keep a positive focus even in the most dire circumstances:

“It’s easy to view any situation in a negative light. But I truly believe that if you become passionate about what you do, and believe in yourself and those around you, then you can find success in ways you would never have otherwise believed possible.“

WHAT OTHERS SAY...

“You were a magnificent speaker and a wonderful example of what can be achieved with precise planning, determination and a will to succeed.”
Vodafone

“An outstanding presentation. Your unbelievable achievements touched the whole audience and your delivery made us believe we can achieve anything we set our minds to.”
NatWest

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