Sean Chapple

Topics:

• Adventure
• Inspirational
• Motivation & Teamwork
• Peak Performance

Sean Chapple is a serving officer with the Royal Marine Commandos who has achieved a remarkable career in which he has established himself as an inspirational leader of men, an motivational speaker, accomplished author and a record breaking polar explorer earning himself a place in military and polar history.

Walking to the South Pole

In 2006/07 Sean planned and led the first UK Armed Forces expedition to the South Pole since Captain Scott, remarkably Sean had just returned from leading another team to the North Pole earlier in the year.  After hauling to the pole and raising the Union Flag Sean and his team then retraced their steps, and in doing so completed the longest military overland journey in Antarctic history and, for Sean the first Royal Marine to walk unaided to the pole.  His team faced near starvation, suffered from frostbite and snow blindness and during the return leg Sean fell and dislocated his shoulder whilst using one of the giant kites that provided wind traction. Committed to success Sean continued to motivate and lead his team, and through determination and exceptional teamwork they completed the gruelling 1,400-mile journey in seventy-one days. Live updates broadcast direct from the ice engaged a global audience attracting international media interest, and generating 2 million pounds in advertising for the commercial backers of the expedition.

The Royal Marines

Leaving school at seventeen Sean joined the elite Royal Marines, successfully completing commando training, the longest and toughest training course in the world.  Sean soon displayed a natural talent for leadership and was swiftly promoted through the rank and file, receiving a commission into the Officer Corps.  During Sean’s extensive career he has deployed on active service across the globe becoming a specialist in mountain, Arctic and desert operations.  Parallel to his military career Sean has forged an record breaking expedition career becoming a pioneering figure in pushing the envelope of military expedition achievements and setting world records in the process.

This unique career is a testament to his ability to motivate and inspire those around him, even under the most demanding circumstances.  Sean’s belief is that we each have the spirit of adventure coursing through our bodies and by tapping into this energy the seemingly impossible becomes possible. Combining 20 years of leadership and team working skills, Sean has joined with industry leaders, in developing his Spirit of Adventure philosophy and complimentary toolbox and associated methodologies. Sean really does ‘walk the talk’, with his keynotes bringing home the real challenges of leadership and team development.

Spirit of Adventure Philosophy

Working alone, or in conjunction with management consultants, Sean delivers practical workshops, with course material and exercises directly transferable to the business world. These powerful workshops, underpinned by Sean’s Spirit of Adventure philosophy, are individually tailored to ensure that the gap between training and work environment is narrowed to ensure benefits can be directly translated to the clients needs.

Sean is a cold weather Subject Matter Expert to the Army’s High Risk and Remote Expedition and Royal Marine’s Major Expedition Committee’s.  Sean also advises civilian teams and organisations on operating in extreme environments on issues such as team selection and alignment, communications, risk management, and equipment selection often working in consultation with business leaders to negotiate partnership and sponsorship programmes.

Author and Television Star

Sean is author of ‘No Ordinary Tourist’ a gripping account of his ground breaking crossing of Iceland.  A television documentary of his recent South Pole expedition is being produced, with a book publication capturing Sean’s extraordinary journey from school to the South Pole planned for release later in the year. 

Walking the Talk

Sean has planned, managed and led over twenty high risk and remote expeditions that include:

• First Successful Winter Crossing of Iceland. Deemed to be uncrossable, Sean took up the challenge and led his team through Arctic blizzard conditions to complete the 500mile crossing in forty-seven days. Receiving the Keeling Award for leadership Sean was personally congratulated by Diana the Princess of Wales for his charity fundraising associated with the crossing.
• 3-Month Ski of the Northwest Passage. Hauling all essential supplies Sean spent 3-months skiing the Northwest Passage facing temperatures of –50 º C, during which his team were stalked by Polar bear for three days. Setting out to commemorate naval exploration in the Arctic with remembrance services conducted at historical landmarks. In conjunction comprehensive clothing, and equipment evaluations, in support of the Ministry of Defence and commercial sponsors, was carried out providing significant returns on investment for sponsors.
• First Attempt by the Royal Marines to Walk the North Pole.  After two years planning Sean led a Royal Marines attempt to walk to the North Pole, the first officially endorsed naval expedition to attempt such a feat since 1875. Unfortunately, after crucial safety equipment failed Sean aborted the attempt, later receiving a message form Buckingham Palace that said ‘Discretion is better than Disaster’.  In recognition of his spirit of adventure Sean was invited to Buckingham Palace for a Royal Audience on his return. 
• In the Footsteps of Parry – the Magnetic North Pole.  Venturing deep into the Arctic Sean retraced the footsteps of Lieutenant Parry RN, leader of the first overland journey by the Navy in 1918.   After several setbacks, the loss of a team member due to frostbite, and some of the worst weather on record the team reached the magnetic North Pole.  The 35-day journey demanded all of Sean’s energy to keep his team of novices focused and aligned as they battled a 6-day blizzard with diminishing food and fuel supplies. 
• Youth to the North Pole.  Selected and trained by Sean, eight students aged 14 to 18, travelled to the Arctic to participate in cultural and adventurous activities that included living in an Inuit community, Polar bear watching, survival training, scientific research and a trip to the North Pole.  Capitalising on communications technologies student experiences were shared globally through an interactive Internet presence.

General 

Sean is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and an accredited TMSDI practitioner in the Team Management Profile, Linking Skills Profile and Team Performance Profile. 

Keynote Speaking Topics

Sean has spoken to audiences ranging from primary schools to board-level directors of multi-national, and speaks with honesty, passion and vigour about:

• Team selection and alignment  
• Gaining commitment and maintaining focus
• Facing and overcoming setbacks 
• Critical elements for success
• Leadership challenges
• The Spirit of Adventure philosophy

Client Comments

"A truly inspirational speaker, who really brings the power of his experiences to life and makes you want to achieve just a fraction of what he's done. Sean has spoken at several of our client events and always receives excellent feedback."
TMS Development International Ltd

"Sean Chappe brought a new dimension in leadership to our Management Conference. Not only did he give a fascinating description of his polar expedition, he was able to relate how leadership in such extreme circumstances applies to more 'normal' business situations...I have no hesitation in highly recommending Sean to ther organisations."
Aesica Pharmaceuticals

"Your expedition has been a journey of firsts; the first military return journey to the South Pole; the first Royal Marines to walk unsupported to the South Pole and the first Service Expedition to the region since Capt Scott in 1912."
First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff

"His session was the highlight of the day.  An engaging speaker, he gave a most informative talk. Relevant to all types of organisations in the public and private sectors, I recommend Sean without hesitation."
Marcinowicz Limited

"Mission Accomplished, indeed ! My strongest personal congratulations to you all on a hugely successful expedition. It has caught the imagination of many here in UK and, I expect, around the world. It is an enormous achievement of which we are all very proud. Well done."
Commander-in-Chief Fleet

"Sean is indeed one of those gifted people who can not only do the task, but also paint the picture to others to take them someway to sharing the experiences undertaken."
Founder - Paracademy

"Inspiring, fascinating, informative. A powerful development day for our clients that focused on familiar team issues but from a different perspective. Outstanding."
Mindadrenaline

"Powerful lessons that will have a real impact on our business. I recommend the iceman for any organisation looking to get the edge on team performance."
Internext

For further information or to book Sean Chapple, call us on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk