Flt Lt John Peters

John Peters came to the world’s attention in January 1991, when his bruised and battered face flashed onto television screens around the world. It was his disfigured image that became a potent symbol of Saddam Hussein’s ruthless aggression. His dramatic and sometimes harrowing experiences reach deep into our innermost minds, showing us how we can overcome even our worst fears and nightmares. His war was not as he expected – it became a seven-week ordeal of torture and interrogation testing John Peters to the absolute limit and bringing him close to death.

This experience combined with life lessons from flying high performance aircraft, mass media attention and his subsequent international business coaching and consultancy provides him with insights that inspire results.  John speaks about leading under pressure, dealing with uncertainty, overcoming adversity and grit.

An experienced speaker of international repute to corporates, public sector and charities, John was the sole reader, representing the British Armed Forces, at the National Gulf Memorial Service in front of Her Majesty The Queen.  He presented the Sir James Martin Lecture at the Royal Aeronautical Society in the presence of Prince Philip. Furthermore, he followed Mr Nelson Mandela on stage in South Africa and achieved a standing ovation! He has written two best-selling books and the documentary, ‘Tornado Down’ was Independent Documentary of the Year and a BAFTA Award Nominee.  John has extensive international TV, radio, PR and media experience.

John is certainly not a doom and gloom merchant, far from it – his innate sense of humour ensures the audience sees the funny and lighter side of his experience. He presents a roller-coaster ride: you will believe you were there!. Passionate, emotive & challenging, John provides an incredible descriptive insight of his experiences and seamlessly relates these experiences to current business issues

“I very much enjoyed the dinner and thought your talk was quite exceptional – in various measures impactful, dramatic, harrowing, philosophical, funny, compassionate, thought provoking and incredible – an absolute emotional roller coaster of a speech. Your experience was so far beyond the limits of what the rest of us have ever gone through it was hard to take in.”  RAF Club

“Your address was truly excellent. The sustained applause for you was almost unstoppable. “  Bob Monkhouse

“To be in a room containing over 200 people with total silence was awesome and I can’t remember that ever happening before. I don’t know if you were aware of the silence but there wasn’t a single cough, any sound of people whispering or shuffling, just stillness. I think that some people had even forgotten to breathe! “  The Newspaper Society, Newspaper, Sales and Promotions Conference

“Not only was John an excellent presenter he was also an organiser’s dream in both his professionalism, his flexibility and his genuine enthusiasm in mixing and mingling with the delegates after the session.”   AMP National Conference, Canberra, Australia

“Your presentation was one of the most moving and poignant I have ever heard. “  IOD

“One minute I wanted to cry my eyes out and the next minute you had me laughing out loud…. The feedback has been incredible. Twitter has gone mad. Thought provoking, empowering, inspirational are just a few of words people have used to describe yesterday’s event. “  Centre for Leadership Performance

“Anyone who has had the privilege of listening to you speak cannot be anything other than impressed by your attitude to life and your determination, courage and integrity. Yours is a gripping and extremely moving story. Everyone to whom I have spoken since your presentation has unreservedly said that it was excellent. “ West Mercia Constabulary

“Your ability to describe your ordeal was so clear: I felt that I was in the plane with you, in the desert with you and in the cell with you. I know I could never possible imagine, for real, what you went through and I sincerely hope no-one else ever has to endure that sort of treatment again.”   National Sales Development Manager; London & Manchester Ltd

“The effect you provoked was extraordinary. You made an outstanding, brave and emotionally honest presentation which moved and inspired us all. What you communicated about how you felt and what you had learnt about yourself touched a chord, I know, in every individual present – in a unique and profound way.” Executive Vice-President & Group Executive, Europe; Sales Conference.

“Immensely powerful – a raw honesty which I found incredibly thought provoking and above all humbling.”  Emergency Planning; Lincolnshire Fire Brigade

“An excellent conference –well done all. Very motivational. A brilliant Conference – thank you! John Peters was inspirational. An insightful, thought provoking and humbling experience – never to be forgotten. Commonwealth Bank

“Continue to have inspiring external and motivational speakers.  John Peters was amazing….. I took a lot away from his story at a personal level.”  Cisco Systems

“I’m sure you get many hundreds of e-mails like this but I feel compelled to write to you and say thanks.  Thanks for putting the trivial things in life back into proper perspective.  It’s all too easy to let relatively minor things in life grow out of proportion.  Hearing your story last Wednesday night was really amazing and helped to ‘realign’ things which I had, quite frankly, been overly worrying about.  On top of that, what a fantastic delivery.  I can’t remember the last time I have heard someone speak so captivatingly for well over an hour.  A true inspiration.”  Serco Consulting

“Just to say finally how excellent John Peters was, an emotional yet fabulous speech.  He was extremely inspirational – translating his experiences of war e.g. courage and linking this to the courage needed in leading and teaching. Thank you. John Peters’ presentation was incredible.” Elliott Foundation

“I'm well impressed at feedback for John – truly amazing – we must pass on our huge thanks – he was a star!! “ Police Federation  

“The audience was absolutely captivated by him and absorbed every single word that he delivered. John truly is a hero in every sense of the word and the feedback that we have received from our guests is off the scale! At an awards ceremony where we celebrated qualities such as bravery, courage and pride, it was absolutely fitting to welcome a man like John whose own courage, bravery and pride, mirrored that of some of the honorable guests we hosted.” Pride of Breckland Award Ceremony  

“I know you have read the evaluations from my colleagues and seen how positive they all were, but I wanted to tell you myself that the things you said really touched me personally. It is not very often that I meet people whose words are so moving and who have such an impact on the way I view my work and my life.”  Headmistress

“Where do we begin to thank you for what was such an emotional, remarkable and humbling insight into what happened to you before, during and after your captivity in Iraq.   One cannot really find the appropriate words to describe our reactions and feelings or to praise you for your account of your story.  We were all greatly moved by your experience and were overwhelmed by your strength of character, your courage (yes, your courage!) and your incredible fortitude and endurance.  We all felt uniquely privileged to have heard your story told by you in person.   Thank you for sharing it with us with candour as well as great humour and for imparting a real sense amongst us that with the right degree of determination, will and focus, you can survive and overcome even the most dire situations and challenges.  You are such an inspiration and role model for everyone.   As one small part of this nation, we thank you too for the immense burden you had to bear in representing us as a Member of our military forces at war.”   LACA Conference

“I have recounted your speech to numerous friends and actually feel that I was inside that cockpit with you as you conducted your mission.”   Bob Wilson OBE.  Willow Foundation 

“When you got up to speak, I really wasn't sure what to expect, I was quite young during the Gulf war (now 26) so I suppose wasn't that aware of who you were or indeed, what happened to you.  By the time you left the stage, I was totally amazed by your experience and in awe of your courage.” Adecco

“One of the main things that I took away that day was how important adapting to your surroundings was for you.  5 days after hearing your speech, I had a knock on my front door to be advised by the police that my Mum had died suddenly whilst driving home from work.   I know this sounds ridiculous, but with hindsight, I can't help but think that your speech somehow helped to prepare me for what lied ahead.  I suppose I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your experience and advice, and for helping me to adapt to my new surroundings.  I can honestly say that never before have I known nearly everybody listening to an after dinner/lunch talk be so attentive, hanging on to every word, or so deeply moved by what they were hearing.  Equally, I have never before been contacted afterwards by so many who have wanted to express their admiration for and gratitude to a speaker.  Your talk was not only inspirational but enjoyable, and we all thought you judged it just right in respect of you theme, its length, and its balance with the more humorous bits. I am left with the lasting impression of John Peters, who will remain in my memory as one of the most incredible & emotional speakers I have ever experienced the honour of hearing.”  Walker User Group