BIOGRAPHY
Stephen is one of the most well-known and respected mountaineers of his generation. He has dedicated his life to mountaineering and has a reputation for pioneering new routes up little-known mountains all over the world.

He is best known for his audacious expedition to Everest in 1988. Not only did his team pioneer a new route up the biggest face of the world’s highest mountain, but they also chose to make their attempt without using supplementary oxygen. Facing the ever-present threat of avalanches and altitude sickness, the story of their expedition is one of tremendous courage and exemplary team work. When his team mates were forced to turn back due to exhaustion, all agreed that Stephen should carry on to the summit. When he reached the top he became the first Briton and one of only a handful of people in the world to climb Everest without supplementary oxygen, a feat which has been described as one of the supreme athletic tests known to man. Reaching the summit late in the day, Stephen did not have enough daylight hours left to descend safely on the same day and bravely decided to bivouac in the open at 8,600 metres, a feat at the very limits of human survival.

Everest was a thrilling highlight in a career which has taken Stephen right through the Himalaya, from Afghanistan to Tibet, making first ascents of many previously unknown mountains. His adventures have also taken him to the Rockies, the Andes, the Antarctic island South Georgia, East Africa, South Africa and of course the European Alps, where he has climbed and skied for over forty years.

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKING
Stephen is an internationally renowned speaker, writer and broadcaster, and he continues to lead expeditions all over the world. The stories of his adventures have enthralled his audiences at corporate events, theatres, schools and university clubs all over the world. His presentations are gripping, fast paced narratives focusing on the group dynamics, motivation and strategic planning required to plan and carry out a successful expedition. He is extremely adept at applying his experiences from mountaineering to a business framework and is a highly sought after speaker.

WHAT OTHERS SAY...
'Stephen attended our Global Corporate Division's weekend conference and his story of how he climbed Everest was an object lesson in what can be achieved through sheer determination, and a real inspiration. His presentation will be remembered for a long time and serves as a constant reminder to us that effective teamwork needs to be at the centre of any successful organisation.'
Michael Walter
Global Head of Corporate – Herbert Smith LLP