Hannah McKeand

Hannah was then the Marketing Manager then Head of Touring for the Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Berkshire and the all-male Shakespeare Company Propeller for nearly 10 years. In 2004 she first skied to the South Pole and in 2005 gave up her job in theatre to sail around the world in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

A year later, Hannah completed her record-breaking journey to the bottom of the planet, a 600-nautical-mile (1,100 km) excursion she completed solo and in just 39 days, 9 hours and 33 minutes. Even though the record was broken in 2008 by American Todd Carmichael, she remains the fastest woman to conduct such a journey.

Hannah’s determination, dedication, vitality and resourcefulness was elementary in her South Pole success. She believes that in order to overcome adversity, focus and positive visualisation are vital to survive in the polar environment whether on your own or as part of a team, an attribute discussed in detail as a motivational speaker. Her inspirational story of peak performance, leaving your comfort zone, managing risk and effective teamwork is applicable to all businesses across all sectors.