Ann Daniels is one of the world’s leading female polar explorers. Ann is a British world record breaking explorer who was part of the first all female team to reach both the North and South Poles.

Ann is an inspiration to those who hear her speak. Her warmth and honesty make her presentations compelling and her motivation, grit and determination illustrate what can be achieved by the many and not the few.

Ann, and was part of the first British all women’s team to walk to the South Pole. In the year 2002 she put together and took part in an expedition which successfully walked from Canada to the North Geographic Pole and became the first all women’s team in the world to walk to both the North and South poles. She is now involved in a new project to measure the thickness of the North Pole ice cap and will lead a 3 man ice team over 1000 miles of frozen Arctic Ocean to the North Pole.

On Top of the world – North Pole 2002

In 2002 Ann then put together the first British all women’s team to reach the North Pole and the first all female team in the world to ski to both Poles. With temperatures as low as -50º for the first 26 days severely hampered progress and success looked doubtful from the start. The girls were hit by three storms so severe that they were unable to erect their tent and huddled together for 3 days, surviving with little food and water. They suffered frostbite, back problems and carbon monoxide poisoning and after 47 hazard filled days one member of the team was evacuated with severe frostbite and wet gangrene.

Despite these setbacks and with over 300 miles left to the pole, Ann and her fellow team mate Caroline Hamilton battled onwards, hauling their heavy sledges over huge pressure ridges, travelling over treacherously thin ice, swimming across open stretches of ice filled water and against all odds finally reached the pole exhausted but ecstatic to have successfully completed their mission and become the first all female team to walk from Canada to the North Pole. On top of the world is a story of persevering against the odds, of teamwork, motivation and a will to succeed when all looks lost. It is also about managing the most changing environment in the world and achieving impossible targets.

2006 – Solo Attempt to the North Pole

Earlier in 2006 Ann was on target to become the first woman in the world to ski solo to the North Pole. Despite cripplingly low temperatures, encounters with five polar bears, one storm and very difficult ice conditions she battled through and completed over 124 nautical miles of the 520 mile journey. However, due to Russian Political intervention her expedition was unexpectedly terminated. Ann is currently planning to complete this. Although this was a bitter blow it has made her more determined than ever to make the world record hers Ann does intend to make another challenge from Canada to avoid similar problems.

Vanco Arctic Survey – February 2009

Setting out in February 2009, the Vanco Arctic Survey will undertake a 120 day, 2000km crossing of the ice cap in temperatures as low as minus 50ºC. The survey team will depart from Alaska, walking, skiing and on occasions swimming stretches of open water to reach the North Geographic Pole in June. The survey, for the first time, will capture detailed information of the ice thickness and its snow layers. This vital information will be used by the scientific world to determine just how long the permanent ice cap will last.

Speaking

Ann tailors every speech to her audience and illustrates the importance of strong leadership, teamwork, the correct attitude, setting goals, managing change, overcoming the odds and the importance of persistence. There is no doubt she is an ordinary woman who has achieved the extraordinary.

She is also a mother of four children but an ordinary woman who has achieved the extraordinary. She tells her story with passion and humour and her illustrated presentations show what can be achieved with belief, determination and keeping focused on the goal. She has motivated teams in both the private and corporate world and tailors every speech to her audience.

Ann’s speaking topics of choice and experience are leadership, teamwork, motivation and global warming/environmental change.

Testimonials

“A brave and stoic explorer”

Kirsty Young – Desert Island Discs

“Her energy, belief and determination is inspiring. She is living proof that humans really can reach new peaks”

The Times

“A wonderful example of determination and true British grit” ”

Prince Charles – HRH The Prince of Wales

“Excellently presented – extremely lovely lady with an amazing story”

Claire Botfield – Winkworth Franchising, Nov 2007