Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari MBE is a record-breaking British yachtswoman and motivational speaker who specialises in leadership, resilience, and high-performance teamwork. The only woman to have sailed solo non-stop around the world in both directions, Dee has completed seven global circumnavigations, including her latest achievement in January 2026 as co-skipper of The Famous Project, where she led the first all-female crew to complete the Jules Verne Trophy on a trimaran. Chair of the World Sailing Trust and an Honorary Commander in the British Royal Navy, she combines decades of elite maritime leadership with a compelling ability to translate extreme challenges into practical insights. Her engaging presentations equip audiences with strategies to navigate uncertainty, build cohesive teams, and lead with courage under pressure.

In January 2026, Dee Caffari MBE completed her seventh circumnavigation of the globe as co-skipper of The Famous Project, leading the first all-female crew to sail non-stop around the world aboard a maxi trimaran. Crossing the finish line in Brest after weeks battling torn mainsails and complex weather systems, this latest achievement cemented her position as one of the most accomplished sailors in maritime history. What began as a schoolteacher's decision to leave the classroom and follow an unconventional dream has evolved into a career defined by groundbreaking firsts, from becoming the only woman to sail solo non-stop around the world in both directions to shattering records that many believed impossible. Her journey from teaching to elite ocean racing demonstrates the power of commitment paired with meticulous preparation, a combination that has seen her complete four non-stop circumnavigations and lead diverse teams through some of the world's most demanding conditions.

Dee's credentials extend far beyond personal achievement. As skipper of Turn the Tide on Plastic in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017/18, she led the first mixed-gender youth team to compete in the event, amplifying the United Nations Environment Clean Seas campaign whilst navigating one of sailing's toughest challenges. Her leadership of Team SCA saw the all-female crew claim the Round Britain and Ireland speed record in 2014, and her role as the only female skipper in the 2004 Global Challenge Yacht Race earned her both a BP Safety Prize for overseeing a critical ocean rescue and recognition for her honest, humorous communication under pressure. Now serving as Chair of the World Sailing Trust, Dee advocates for ocean health and inclusivity across the sport, whilst her work as an Honorary Commander in the British Royal Navy and patron of organisations including Sail 4 Cancer and GAFIRS reflects a deep commitment to maritime safety and community. Her achievements have been recognised with an MBE and a nomination for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award.

Dee transforms extreme maritime experience into practical insights that resonate across industries. Her presentations equip audiences with strategies for leading under pressure, building cohesive teams in challenging environments, and navigating uncertainty with confidence. Drawing on real situations where split-second decisions determined survival, she explores resilience not as an abstract concept but as a skill developed through preparation, trust, and clear communication. Audiences leave with actionable approaches to managing risk, fostering collaboration across diverse teams, and maintaining focus when conditions shift unexpectedly. Whether addressing corporate leaders or inspiring emerging talent, Dee's compelling storytelling combines technical expertise with warmth and humour, creating lasting impact that extends well beyond the event itself. Her commitment to sustainability and equality threads through every presentation, challenging audiences to consider their own leadership legacy whilst providing them with the tools to create meaningful change.