Alan Chambers MBE

Polar adventurer Alan Chambers MBE led the first successful British unsupported expedition from Canada to the Geographic North Pole. They walked 672 nautical miles in temperatures as low as -65°C, dragging a sledge the weight of a baby elephant. After a gruelling seventy days on the ice, on 16th May 2000, Chambers and his teammate raised the Union Jack. Chambers has subsequently led over a dozen North Pole expeditions with top business leaders and chief executives. He helps them to explore and reflect on their own leadership capabilities.

In 2006, Chambers lead a team to complete the gruelling Yukon Arctic Ultra Challenge. In 2008 he lead and crossed Greenland as part of the Feet of Green initiative. The initiative was designed to inspire children with a spirit of adventure and care for the environment. In 2009 he lead a team of senior executives and high achievers to the South Pole.

A former Royal Marine with 16 years service, in 1995 Chambers was a member of the first winter expedition to traverse Iceland by ski. He has sledged across Greenland, Canada North West Territories, Norway and Iceland.

In preparation for the 2003 rugby world cup, Chambers was invited by Sir Clive Woodward to speak to the England rugby squad, concentrating on project focus, maintaining direction in adversity and the change that will have to be adapted to. Team Captain Martin Johnson, comments: “Alan’s amazing story highlighting the remarkable focus and leadership he had around the north pole trip truly inspired the team in their preparation for the Rugby World Cup 2003.” The England team went on to win the world cup.

At the age of 32, Chambers was awarded an MBE by HM The Queen in 2000 for ‘determination and leadership in constant adversity’. He is also a qualified diver, parachutist, paramedic and ski survival instructor.