Mark Agnew

Part of The First Team to Kayak the Entire Northwest Passage, European Adventurer Of The Year, Best-selling Author Of “There Will Be Headwinds” & TEDx Keynote Speaker

Mark Agnew’s Biography:

Mark Agnew is a world-first record-setting explorer, resilience speaker and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He is best known for leading one of the most ambitious expeditions of the modern era, when in 2023 he and three teammates became the first team ever to kayak the entire Northwest Passage. Travelling from Baffin Bay to the Beaufort Sea, the expedition pushed human endurance to its limits and was later ranked among the Top 10 Greatest Kayak Expeditions of the Century, earning Mark the title of European Adventurer of the Year.

Spending 103 days in the High Arctic, Mark’s journey became a real-world case study in leadership, resilience and decision-making under extreme pressure. One defining moment came when a polar bear attempted to break into his tent in the middle of the night, a situation that escalated from uncertainty to immediate danger within seconds. The experience, and the rapid thinking it demanded, later shaped Mark’s “Find Your Polar Bear” framework, a powerful metaphor for recognising hidden threats, responding decisively and thriving through moments of change.

Beyond the Arctic, Mark has completed major expeditions across the globe, including travelling overland from London to Mongolia, kayaking through the Indonesian archipelago, and running ultra-marathons in some of Asia’s most remote regions. Alongside his expeditions, he has built a strong career in journalism and storytelling, serving as Outdoor and Extreme Sports Editor for the South China Morning Post and writing widely on adventure, geopolitics and global affairs.

Mark is the author of “There Will Be Headwinds”, shortlisted for the Boardman Tasker Prize, and has been featured in over 200 media outlets, including ITV, Sky News, The Times and the Daily Mail. Today, he brings his experiences from the edge of human endurance into the corporate world, helping leaders and teams build resilience, embrace uncertainty and perform when conditions are at their toughest.

Why Hire Mark Agnew?

Mark Agnew brings rare, hard-earned insight into resilience, leadership and performance under pressure. His experiences are not theoretical but lived, forged in environments where mistakes carry real consequences. From navigating Arctic ice to making split-second decisions in moments of genuine danger, Mark understands what it takes to lead, adapt and endure when certainty disappears.

His TEDx talk “Exploring Motivation and Resilience” showcases his ability to transform extreme experiences into practical, relatable lessons for modern organisations. Mark’s delivery is high-energy, honest and deeply human, combining powerful storytelling with actionable frameworks. Audiences leave not only inspired but equipped to recognise their own “polar bears”, confront challenges head-on and build the resilience required to thrive through constant change.

Mark Agnew’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Mark Agnew’s inspirational career:

• 2025 – Continued his global speaking career, delivering resilience and leadership keynotes to international organisations.
• 2023 – Made history as part of the first team to kayak the entire Northwest Passage, travelling from Baffin Bay to the Beaufort Sea over 103 days. The expedition was ranked among the Top 10 Greatest Kayak Expeditions of the Century and earned him the title of European Adventurer of the Year.
• 2023 – Delivered a TEDx talk exploring motivation, resilience and how individuals and teams can thrive under extreme pressure and uncertainty.
• 2021 – Appointed Outdoor and Extreme Sports Editor at the South China Morning Post, writing and editing features on adventure, exploration and global affairs.
• 2020 – Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in recognition of his contributions to exploration and geographic knowledge.
• 2019 – Shortlisted for the Boardman Tasker Prize for his debut book There Will Be Headwinds, which documents life, leadership and endurance in extreme environments.
• 2017 – Production Editor at Adventure Sports Magazine, overseeing editorial content focused on endurance sport, exploration and expedition storytelling.
• 2016 – Reporter for The Corporate Treasurer, covering global finance, governance and international business issues.
• 2014 – Senior Consultant at Grad-Asia Ltd, working directly with clients and candidates while helping to run the business alongside its founder.
• 2013 – Began international career as an English teacher, marking the start of his work across Asia and internationally.