Adventurer & Explorer, One of the First Women in History to Reach the North & South Poles, Former Head of Ice Operations for the Catlin Arctic Survey & Won the Pride of Britain Award
Ann Daniels’ Biography:
Ann Daniels is one of Britain’s most accomplished polar explorers, renowned for pushing the boundaries of human endurance in some of the harshest environments on Earth. Known for achieving a world record as part of the first women’s team to reach both the North and South Poles, Ann has spent more than 400 days and travelled over 3,000 miles in the polar regions. Her remarkable achievements include becoming the first British female North Pole guide, leading men and women through some of the planet’s most extreme conditions, and completing a gruelling 700-mile expedition across Antarctica as part of the first British all-women’s team to ski to the South Pole. Having completed 14 major polar expeditions and worked alongside leading scientists and explorers, Ann brings extraordinary insights into resilience, leadership and high performance, making her one of the most sought-after keynote speakers in the world.
Before embarking on a career in exploration, Ann led a conventional life, balancing work and family responsibilities. However, a determination to challenge herself led her to the world of polar exploration, where she quickly established a reputation for exceptional leadership and endurance. Her pioneering achievements saw her become the first British female North Pole guide in 2002, responsible for leading teams safely through dangerous Arctic conditions. Her expertise later led to her appointment as Head of Ice Operations for the Catlin Arctic Survey, supporting groundbreaking climate research in the Arctic. She subsequently led both the second and third Catlin Arctic Surveys and continued her commitment to polar science by joining Bernice Notenboom’s expedition to ski the last two degrees to the North Pole, working in partnership with NASA.
Ann’s achievements have earned widespread recognition and media attention. She is the recipient of the prestigious Pride of Britain Award and has been named among the Daily Telegraph’s Top 20 Great British Adventurers. Her work supporting the Catlin Arctic Survey contributed to a greater understanding of climate change and Arctic conditions, bringing her expertise to audiences well beyond the exploration community. She has also been selected as a Baton Holder for the Commonwealth Games, recognising her contribution as an inspirational figure and role model.
Why Hire Ann Daniels?
Organisations hire Ann because her experiences translate directly into practical lessons on leadership, teamwork, adaptability and thriving under pressure. Drawing on real-world situations where decisions carried significant consequences, she demonstrates how individuals and organisations can perform at their best in uncertain environments. Her expertise as a communicator is further demonstrated through her TEDx talks, ‘Our Corrosive Oceans’ and ‘Use Failure as a Path to Success‘, where she shares powerful insights on environmental responsibility, resilience and personal growth. Her keynote presentations combine compelling storytelling with actionable insights, inspiring audiences to embrace challenge, overcome adversity and achieve ambitious goals. Whether speaking to business leaders, educators or global organisations, Ann leaves audiences motivated, empowered and ready to perform beyond their perceived limits.
Ann Daniels’ Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Ann Daniels’ remarkable career:
- 2023 – Keynote Speaker at the 2023 Toy Industry Day of the British Toy & Hobby Association
- 2017 – Joined Bernice Notenboom’s Expedition to Ski the Last 2 Degrees to the North Pole Working with NASA
- 2010 -2011- Led the Second and Third Catlin Arctic Survey
- 2009 – Asked by Pen Hadow to be his Head of Ice Operations for the Catlin Arctic Survey
- 2002 – First British Female North Pole Guide to Lead Men and Women in the Most Extreme Conditions
- Achieved the World Record as the First women’s Team to Reach Both the North & South
- Won the Pride of Britain Award
- Listed in the Daily Telegraph’s Top 20 Great British Adventurers
- Completed a 700-mile expedition across Antarctica
- Recipient of the Pride of Britain Award
Videos
Ann Daniels’ Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“The key message I took away was about our challenging environment and I thought her approach was very refreshing – don’t waste time/energy getting angry about the environment you are in and the challenges you face but instead start planning how you are going to deal with them. I think this is relevant for us all at work and outside work.” – HSBC
“Ann Daniels presentation was superb with lots of personal experience and an excellent collection of photographs. She was an inspiration and the hit of the conference.” – NCC Group
“Ann was absolutely brilliant! I couldn’t have asked for a better afternoon. The feedback has been so positive! Ann really related to the audience and our purpose/behaviours. She was very authentic, humble and inspiring. I had so many people come up to me at the end asking me how I found such a great keynote speaker. People came away uplifted and energised which is exactly what we were hoping for. She is truly a remarkable person.” – Rebekah, Novia
“The feedback we have had has been fantastic, Ann entertained our guests very well and I’m gutted I missed it!” – Karen, Scottish Motor Trade Association
“Our events have become synonymous within our business community for the keynote speakers we book, yet we’ve never received as much positive feedback as we did after Ann’s recent talk. She blew the room away with her inspirational story. If you want to leave the room in awe, and maybe even tears, we couldn’t recommend her enough.” – Ewan, Partner Account Manager, Breathe
“What a speaker. We were spellbound with your fantastic and interesting presentation. You left us all feeling we could achieve that little bit more” – IBM
“the event went very well, and we all really appreciated it, even today am getting feedback that Ann left an impression and has motivated a lot of the females in the team”. Abbie, Seven Senders
“Outstanding presentation. Your unbelievable achievements touched the whole audience and your delivery made us believe we can achieve anything we set our minds to.” – Marks & Spencer
“Ann was the best speaker we’ve had in the ten year’s I’ve been booking speakers. She was motivational and relevant to the current challenges we face in the workplace today. She inspired us all to strive to achieve so much more, individually and together as a team.” – Disney
“Ann’s presentation on leadership was fantastic. Our office is still talking about how to deal with their own ‘Polar Bears’ three weeks after the presentation.” – The Home Office
“Thought yesterday was brilliant – you could tell everyone was captivated – you could hear a pin drop. I thought Ann was an inspiration to us all. Her messages on leadership will help us become better leaders in the future.” – Business Network International
“You were a magnificent speaker and a wonderful example of what can be achieved with precise planning, determination and a will to succeed.” – Vodafone
Speaking Topics
Ann Daniels’ Official Keynote Topics:
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Motivation
- Overcoming Challenges
- How to Succeed in Today’s Changing Environment
How Much Does Ann Daniels Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Ann Daniels?
Ann Daniels’ speaking fees typically reflect her exceptional career and international demand. Engagements vary depending on location, format, and duration; keynote appearances, conferences, and international events may command higher fees due to travel and preparation requirements.