Darren Edwards Keynote Speaker

Darren Edwards’s life has been defined by persistence, resilience and change. Few people can talk with Darren’s authority and honesty about how to positively and successfully face uncertainty and fear. A gifted storyteller, by turns inspiring, likeable and candid, he explores practical solutions to challenging situations through the lens of his remarkable story.

After time in the armed forces, and pursuing his mountaineering passion, Darren trained as a teacher. Shortly after qualifying, he was climbing in North Wales when the ledge he stood on fell away, and he plunged over 100 feet. Lucky to survive, he broke his back in two places, severing his spinal cord. Darren was paralysed from the chest down. As well as dealing with the trauma of his new circumstances, he faced a gruelling rehabilitation regime and an uncertain future.

Within days of leaving hospital, Darren found purpose. Determined to return to his outdoor adventures, he bought a kayak and took to the water for the first time. It was the start of a series of adventures that saw him kayak the length of Britain with fellow ex-servicemen and become the first wheelchair user to complete the 777 challenge – seven marathons on seven continents over seven days. Later this year, he will sit-ski across Antarctica to the South Pole.

As well as challenging himself physically and mentally, redefining what he, and others, thought possible, Darren also embraces a passion for entrepreneurialism. Driven by his desire to make a difference and help others, he launched Adaptive Expeditions, a company that organises adventures that encourage disabled people to push their boundaries.

Grounded in the training and mindset acquired in the forces, and his pursuit of mountaineering, Darren explains you don’t need to experience extremes to build resilience. That everyday pressures can be just as challenging as tackling any mountain or terrain. He shares the lessons he’s learned from facing the unknown head-on. He considers how to remain positive and focused in the face of difficulties. He delivers real-world examples of how to empower individuals and teams, and how to uncover your own leadership style.