“Speakers from the Edge clearly offered something out of the ordinary: individuals who have motivated themselves and others to achieve great things in the harshest of conditions. Speakers who not only engage, inspire and entertain but who also have the ability to apply their experiences to a business framework,” said Rightmove Human Resources Director, Simon Hickie.

Rightmove plc, the UK's No.1 property website, prides itself on building and retaining an experienced management team. Recently, Human Rescources Director, Simon Hickie, planned a business strategy update meeting and turned to an agency with a difference to provide a speaker with the ability to motivate and inspire the company’s managers and team leaders.

In consultation with Speakers from the Edge, Rightmove chose one of the UK’s most experienced mountaineers, Andy Kirkpatrick, to speak on a subject close to his heart; that of overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges and succeeding in the face of adversity.

“We believe that in the context of a challenging housing market, offering inspiration and support to our management team is more important than ever. For this event I was looking for a speaker who could really speak to managers who relish a challenge, who are committed to reaching goals as part of a team,” said Hickie.

Andy Kirkpatrick is one of the UK’s most accomplished mountaineers. Described by Climbing magazine as having “a strange penchant for the long, the cold and the difficult”, it is perhaps Andy's journey from remedial student to successful climber, writer and speaker that interests his audiences most.

Brought up on a council estate in one of Britain's flattest cities, Hull-born Andy suffered from severe dyslexia which went undiagnosed until he was 19. One of his greatest strengths is his ability to talk about his life and his climbs in a way that is totally accessible to the non-climber and allows the audience to experience the risk and tension of climbing and challenging yourself and accepted markers of success and achievement.

“Andy was fantastic – a knowledgeable, engaging and entertaining speaker who captivated the audience from start to finish. The feedback I have had from attendees has been universally positive,” said Hickie.

Andy Kirkpatrick climbing in the Alps

Rebecca Varley, Account Director, Speakers from the Edge, comments: “I recommended Andy Kirkpatrick without hesitation. Andy is an experienced speaker, broadcaster and writer who not only engages, entertains and amuses, but also has something important to say about reaching goals, facing challenges, overcoming adversity and breaking internal barriers”

Read Andy's profile here.

Interested in booking Andy for a talk?  Please contact us.