Brendan Hall

Yacht Race-Winning Skipper, Founder & CEO of Ocean & Boardroom & Award-Winning Keynote Speaker

Brendan Hall’s Biography:

Brendan Hall is a dynamic and engaging speaker celebrated for his ability to connect deeply with audiences through authenticity, vivid storytelling and practical insight. His talks are an inspiring blend of adventure and leadership, drawing from extraordinary real-life experiences at sea to illuminate lessons on teamwork, trust and resilience. Brendan’s speaking style is energetic yet reflective, weaving together emotion and intellect to leave audiences both inspired and equipped with tangible strategies for leading in uncertain and high-pressure environments.

Brendan’s early career was defined by the ocean, where he honed his leadership skills under the most demanding conditions. In 2007, he became a Race Skipper in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race—one of the toughest endurance challenges on Earth. He went on to lead his team to victory, becoming one of only twelve people in history to captain a winning crew in the 40,000-mile global race. These experiences not only tested his courage and determination but also shaped his understanding of what it means to lead with empathy, clarity and purpose. In 2012, he served as Captain of S/Y Acheron, further refining his command and team-building approach.

Today, Brendan shares those lessons through leadership education and development across business and academia. He serves as a Leadership Associate at the Cranfield School of Management and a Leadership Adjunct at Hult International Business School. He was previously a Vistage Speaker, working with chief executives and senior leaders to navigate complexity, build trust and create high-performing cultures. As Founder and CEO of Ocean & Boardroom, established in 2015, he translates the rigours of ocean racing into practical frameworks that help organisations thrive under pressure.

Brendan’s achievements are far-reaching. His book ‘Team Spirit’ captures the essence of his journey, offering leadership lessons from his time at sea that resonate in boardrooms and frontline teams alike. Recognised as an award-winning keynote speaker since 2015, he has delivered high-impact sessions for organisations such as Google, Toyota, Coca-Cola, HSBC, GSK, Deloitte, Nestlé and the Financial Times. Brendan’s career reflects a rare combination of adventure, reflection and practical wisdom—qualities that make him one of the most respected leadership speakers of his generation.

Why Hire Brendan Hall?

Brendan is sought after by organisations that value authentic, experience-driven insight into leadership, teamwork and resilience. His talks go beyond theory, combining the drama of ocean racing with actionable strategies for navigating high-pressure situations in business. He speaks with warmth, honesty and humility, drawing powerful parallels between leading a team through a storm at sea and steering a business through uncertainty. His audiences consistently describe his sessions as engaging, practical and transformative, helping leaders and teams to communicate more effectively, build trust and perform at their best under pressure.

In recent years, Brendan has delivered impactful keynote sessions and workshops for global organisations, including the Kuwait Oil Company, Edelman and Capital One UK. His ability to tailor each presentation to the unique culture and challenges of his audience makes him a highly versatile and trusted speaker. Whether addressing senior executives, emerging leaders or entire organisations, Brendan creates an environment where reflection meets action. His combination of storytelling, humour and insight ensures that his sessions resonate long after the event, equipping participants with renewed confidence and a stronger sense of purpose in their personal and professional leadership journeys.

Brendan Hall’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Brendan Hall’s extraordinary career:

• 2025 – Delivered a keynote in Doha to the Global Sales Team of Qatar Airways, sharing insights on maintaining excellence and innovation to “stay number 1”
• 2021 – Expanded his work in leadership development through innovative projects such as founding Lifestory Recorder, connecting storytelling, reflection and performance growth
• 2020 – Appointed Leadership Associate at the Cranfield School of Management, supporting executive education programmes for global leaders
• 2017 – Joined Hult International Business School as a Leadership Adjunct, teaching leadership and teamwork to international MBA students
• 2016 – Became a Vistage Speaker for Vistage Worldwide, inspiring chief executives and senior leaders through experiential learning and storytelling
• 2015 – Founded Ocean & Boardroom, translating lessons from high-performance sailing into leadership strategies for business environments
• 2015 – Recognised as an Award-Winning Keynote Speaker, delivering high-impact talks to organisations across multiple industries
• 2012 – Published Team Spirit, sharing leadership and teamwork lessons from his global sailing experiences
• 2012 – Served as Captain of S/Y Acheron, leading teams through complex and demanding ocean voyages
• 2007 – Appointed Race Skipper in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, managing an amateur crew on a 40,000-mile circumnavigation
• 2007 – Led his team to victory in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, becoming one of only twelve people ever to achieve this remarkable feat