Des Powell

Des Powell was born and raised in the steel city of Sheffield. Enlisting at the age of 19, he began his military career in the Paras. His journey involved passing the arduous P-Company, pre-parachute selection training before becoming part of the airborne brotherhood. Des spent eight years in the Paras advancing through the ranks, specialising in unarmed combat and becoming a certified physical training instructor for 1 Para.

Determined for the pursuit of excellence, Des joined the elite SAS in 1986 after passing the military’s toughest SAS selection process. He went on to serve for 20 years in the heart of counter terrorism and special covert operations in South-Eastern Europe, South America, Africa, and the Middle East. During his time in the SAS, Des specialised in high-altitude free-fall parachuting and rose to the rank of Sergeant Major, exemplifying his leadership capabilities, exceptional discipline and resilience within the British Army’s most demanding unit.

Following his distinguished military service, Des advanced his career in the private security sector as a security consultant and close protection officer for A-list celebrities and VIPs, including international media companies and charities operating in high-risk volatile countries.

Corporate & Motivational Speaking | Keynote | Workshops | Q&A​

Des is not just a speaker that recounts history; he immerses his audiences in gripping untold stories and extraordinary experiences in the special forces. Drawing from high-stakes missions, Des delivers captivating talks of courage, leadership and mental fortitude that inspire businesses to navigate challenges strategically, build resilience, promote collaboration and operational excellence.

Whether he is addressing leadership teams, frontline employees or delivering an after-dinner speech, Des tailors his talks to his audiences while providing a rare glimpse into the special forces mindset and operational strategies of the world’s most elite soldiers.

SPEAKING TOPICS –

• Leadership & Resilience
• Risk Management & Security
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Special Forces Experiences

BOOKS

In October 2021, Des co-authored a Sunday Times Bestseller “SAS Bravo Three Zero” with the renowned Damien Lewis, a leading military author, historian and filmmaker. Bravo Three Zero reveals an extraordinary untold story for the first time about one of the legendary SAS patrols deployed during the first Gulf War in 1991. The book is centered on Des’ gripping account of the mission and lessons learnt deep behind enemy lines.

Following the success of SAS Bravo Three Zero, Des released his second book “SAS My Trial by Fire” in June 2025, revealing for the first time what it takes to join the Paras and the SAS. In SAS My Trial by Fire, Des shares how training in the Paras turned him into a highly skilled soldier but, more importantly, how the SAS selection process transformed him into a member of the elite. In the book, Des also unveils the ethos of the SAS regiment which is: humility, humour, discipline, class-less society, and the never-ending pursuit of excellence. The ethos defines the mindset of a special forces operative which he continues to live by today.