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Neil Laughton Keynote Speaker

  • Guinness World Record breaking adventurer
  • Former SAS troop commander
  • Successful entrepreneur and CEO of Laughton & Co Ltd

Neil Laughton's Biography

Neil Laughton is a successful business entrepreneur, multiple Guinness World Record breaking adventurer and a former Royal Marine Commando, helicopter pilot and Special Forces Officer.

He has founded multiple companies including an international airline and sold businesses to a FTSE 100 whilst concurrently organising and leading expeditions all over the world.  He is CEO of Laughton & Co Ltd, which helps clients to improve performance by adopting his ‘Team Leadership’ concept.

During his varied business career, Neil founded a group of companies in industries including property development, construction, commercial interiors and office furniture. He grew the organisation to £40m turnover and then sold the business to a FTSE 100.

In his spare time he leads adventurous expeditions all over the world. He has completed the Explorers Grand Slam – climbing the highest mountain on each continent, including Mt. Everest, and skiing to both the Geographic North and South Poles.  He has made twelve first ascents in Greenland, trekked unsupported across South Georgia, circumnavigated the UK on a jet-ski and piloted the world’s first road legal bio-fuelled flying car 10,000 km from London to Timbuktu, including a flight over the Straits of Gibraltar and across the Sahara Desert.

Neil holds several Guinness World Records, including the World’s Highest Dinner Party, held on Mount Everest at 7,056 m, as well as the record for the farthest distance (26 km) on a penny farthing bicycle in one hour, with no hands.  He runs the Business Leadership Academy, the Great Sussex Bath Race and various charitable projects including Flying for Heroes.

Neil holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Studies, a Certificate in Direction from the Institute of Directors and is a recipient of the Ness Award for “Inspirational leadership” from the Royal Geographical Society.

As a speaker, Neil helps audiences deal with the many challenges they face.  He demonstrates the importance of inspirational leaders at all levels in order to deliver exceptional team performance, and practical steps for how to achieve this. Neil’s “Team Leadership” concept shows how team members can develop entrepreneurial and adventurous mindsets, good leadership and team-working principles, as well as a culture of trust and respect.

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Neil Laughton's Speaking Topics

  • The Adventurous Mindset

This keynote inspires audiences to set audacious goals and provides them with the secret ingredients for success.

  • Risk & Reward

Featuring a story of disaster & triumph on Mt Everest.

  • Planning & Preparation

Including a Special Forces mission planning failure & recovery operation.

  • Fear & Adversity

Describing a dramatic life or death rescue in the Bering Sea.

  • Innovation & Change

Regaling an extreme golf challenge that required blue sky thinking.

  • Leadership & Teamwork

An example of good leadership and teamwork during an audacious journey in a Flying Car.

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Videos of Neil Laughton

Confessions of an Adventure-holic | Neil Laughton | TEDxBrighton
Confessions of an Adventure-holic | Neil Laughton | TEDxBrighton
The Transforming Power of Adventure | Neil Laughton | TEDxRoyalHolloway
The Transforming Power of Adventure | Neil Laughton | TEDxRoyalHolloway
Neil Laughton Showreel: Adventurer & Entrepreneur (2012)
Neil Laughton Showreel: Adventurer & Entrepreneur (2012)
The Flying Car: A Daredevil Journey to Timbuktu (2009)
The Flying Car: A Daredevil Journey to Timbuktu (2009)
Schmoozing podcast (hosted by David Hill) - with Neil Laughton
Schmoozing podcast (hosted by David Hill) - with Neil Laughton
The Mind Mate Podcast - Surviving and Summiting Mt Everest with Neil Laughton
The Mind Mate Podcast - Surviving and Summiting Mt Everest with Neil Laughton

Books by Neil Laughton

Adventureholic - Extraordinary journeys on seven continents by land, sea and air
Adventureholic - Extraordinary journeys on seven continents by land, sea and air

Comments & Testimonials

"Enthusiastic, clear and engaging. Neil Laughton is not only a Master of Adventure; he is also a Master of Engagement."
Senergy
“Fantastic! What a great talk & sensational feedback!”
D. Stork MD, BR
“Highly motivational, entertaining & inspirational”
J. Shaw AstraZeneca
“A wonderful reminder to say “yes” a little more often in life”
Sir Richard Branson Entrepreneur
“Invaluable lessons learnt”
J. Hall Design Manager, Bentley Motors
“Utterly professional, perfect delivery and 10/10 feedback from guests”
Ryan Heal MD, Best of British Events Ltd

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