Former UK Special Forces Instructor, British Airways Pilot, Founder of ReIgnite & Leader of The World’s Highest Video Broadcast From The Summit of MT Everest To The BBC News
Daniel Hughes’s Biography:
Daniel Hughes is a former UK Special Forces instructor, British Airways 787 Dreamliner Pilot and elite endurance athlete who now leads high-performance team consultancy ReIgnite. Known as a self-described problem solver who builds teams to succeed, Daniel combines extreme operational experience with corporate leadership insight. From summiting Everest to representing Team GB in world-level duathlon, his career reflects disciplined preparation, resilience and the pursuit of excellence under pressure.
Daniel began his professional journey in the British military, becoming one of the youngest individuals to be badged into the SAS. By 23, after enduring brutal physical selection that pushed him to his limits, he successfully completed Special Forces training and later served as a Special Forces Instructor. His military experience instilled the principles of clarity, trust and accountability that now underpin his leadership philosophy.
In 2013, Daniel led a 268-person team to deliver the highest-ever live television broadcast from the summit of Mount Everest, streamed via BBC News. The expedition raised £1 million for disadvantaged children in South America and attracted over 30 global sponsors, including Nike, Microsoft and HTC. Alongside his expedition achievements, he competed internationally in the ITU World Duathlon Championships for Team GB between 2014 and 2015, establishing himself among the world’s leading duathletes.
In 2017, Daniel founded ReIgnite, a team development consultancy focused on performance culture and organisational alignment. He later became Creative Director of Studio Albatross and was appointed Cycling Director at Pamoja Capital. Alongside his consultancy work, he continues to operate as a British Airways 787 pilot, balancing aviation precision with entrepreneurial leadership.
Why Hire Daniel Hughes?
Daniel is hired for his rare blend of Special Forces discipline, elite sport performance and commercial leadership. He speaks with authority on building teams that function under pressure, making clear decisions in uncertainty and aligning culture with execution. His Everest expedition and fundraising mission provide powerful lessons in planning, sponsorship alignment and delivering against audacious goals.
Audiences value his direct, practical approach to leadership and high performance. Whether addressing senior executives, emerging leaders or performance teams, Daniel translates extreme environments into clear frameworks that can be applied immediately within business and organisational settings.
Daniel Hughes’s Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Daniel Hughes’s remarkable career:
- 2025 – Delivered a keynote address at the ASA World Leadership Forum 2025, sharing insights on high-pressure decision-making.
- 2020 – Appointed Cycling Director at Pamoja Capital, supporting strategic investment and performance development initiatives.
- 2018 – Became Creative Director of Studio Albatross, leading creative and performance-focused projects.
- 2017 – Founded ReIgnite, a consultancy dedicated to high-performance team development.
- 2015 – Represented Team GB at the ITU World Duathlon Championships.
- 2013 – Led the highest-ever live television broadcast from the summit of Mount Everest, streamed on BBC News.
- 2002 – Served as a Special Forces Instructor following successful selection into the SAS.
Videos
Daniel Hughes’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“Daniel is a hugely inspiring individual, there was never any doubt that he would complete his record-breaking Everest climb and no surprise that he went on to represent Great Britain in Duathlon. His life experiences are so varied and interesting, but Daniel’s ability to combine the lessons he has learnt with sound business theories make him a captivating person to learn from and to listen to.” – James Atkins, Head of HTC Marketing, EMEA.
“I met Daniel while I was part of the Social Good team at Skype. He had taken unpaid leave from his job to plan, train and climb Mount Everest in order to raise money for charity. He made the first Skype call from the top of Everest which was then broadcast to the world on the BBC. Daniel is a force of nature and I imagine that once he puts his mind to something, there is nothing he cannot do. He was great to work with and a true source of inspiration for me personally, for our staff, and for the world. I would gladly recommend him for a purpose driven brand partnership and inspirational speaker engagement.” – Andy Schmidt, Microsoft Social Good Leader
“Daniel is very passionate and engaging when delivering his presentations. The talk on his assent of Everest for Comic Relief in 2013 was totally captivating, illustrated with photos, videos and equipment used during the trip. I was amazed by what was involved in this project, and can highly recommend him as a motivational speaker.” -Keith Wood. BBC Newsgathering Communications Specialist.
“Daniel shared his insights on managing and executing high-risk ventures and overcoming adversity through disciplined leadership during the two and a half year Everest Million campaign. Imperial College Business School students learnt about the challenges of taking technology to new heights, successfully completing the first live video broadcast from the summit of Mt Everest and included an equipment demo, with kit that was on loan for the evening from our neighbours at the Science Museum.” -Dr Christopher Corbishley. Imperial College Business School.
Speaking Topics
Daniel Hughes’s Official Keynote Topics:
- Entrepreneurship
- Motivation/Inspiration
- Overcoming Adversity
- Executive Leadership
- Managing Risk In High-Pressure Situations
- Developing Company Vision & Values
How Much Does Daniel Hughes Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Daniel Hughes?
The cost of hiring Daniel Hughes depends on your event format, location and requirements. For an accurate and tailored quote, please contact a London Keynote Speakers Agency booking agent for expert guidance.