Jim McNeill

Jim is one of the world’s most experienced and respected explorers and has clocked up over than 30 years of polar travelling and expeditioning; thousands of miles mostly on nothing but skis, dragging his world behind him. Few, if any, have that breadth and depth of experience in extreme environments. His guiding, safety and survival expertise is widely employed, from the BBC to Hollywood film crews, on location all over the world – hot as well as cold.

With a career spanning environmental science, the military, commerce and fire & rescue, Jim has selected, trained and led highly successful teams from top-level corporations, through high-risk polar expeditions, to critical lifesaving situations – where effective leadership and hands-on teamwork are paramount. He has a passion for leadership and getting the very best performance out of individuals and teams, at any level.

In 2001 Jim founded the “Ice Warrior Project” an organisation that gives “ordinary” people the opportunity to become polar explorers and achieve extraordinary feats of endurance and endeavour. Through Ice Warrior, he develops people, discovers global change and delivers the stories to audiences worldwide in a way we can all understand, fostering a much better understanding of the world we live in and on; ultimately helping us to survive.

In 2006 he was ITV News’ own “Ice Warrior”, reporting the reality of climate change directly from the Arctic Ocean to international audiences. The story will continue next year as he attempts the last, so far unattained, World First in polar expeditioning – to be the first person to reach the very centre of the Arctic Ocean – the Arctic Pole or Northern Pole of Inaccessibility.

As well as significant involvement in polar exploration Jim has a wealth of qualifications, skills and experience.

• Graduate of The Institution of Fire Engineers – GIFireE
• Associate Member International Emergency Technical Rescue Institute
• Associate Member of the British Association for Immediate Care Scheme – BASICS
• Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Certificate – PHEC November 1996
• Emergency/Rescue Personnel Member of the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
• Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service – Brigade instructor first-aid training
• Rescue Emergency Care Advanced First Aid for the Arctic
• Fellow of The Royal Geographic Society – FRGS

As a person, Jim believes that consideration for others, an enthusiasm for life and broad-based experience makes for a balanced soul and says his greatest attributes are empathy, initiative, a good measure of common sense – and the ability to communicate and motivate.

Expert Areas:

• Extreme Environment Society
• Leadership
• Training and Performance
• Team building and motivation
• Team Training
• Expeditions
• Survival
• Logistics
• Climate change in the Polar Regions
• Emergency Planning
• Risk Management

“Nothing less than inspirational… an authoritative blend of raw experience with practical coaching… energised an already highly motivated group of senior executives.” The National Police Training College

‘We were delighted when Jim agreed to speak to our Executive Team and we were completely gripped when he shared experiences from his truly-remarkable career, from funny and emotive to absolutely terrifying.  Jim has a wonderful insight into people and how to motivate them which coupled with his strong determination to succeed makes him an excellent leader.  He was an inspiration to all of the team and certainly put into perspective how minor our challenges are when compared to the challenges of surviving a polar exploration.’ PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP

“Can you pass on our thanks to Jim for giving us such an entertaining and fascinating account of his remarkable adventures.  He is an excellent speaker and engaged with our audience throughout the whole of his talk.  He was very friendly and amenable to work with and I really appreciated his patience in meeting our sponsors, committee and members.  It was a pleasure to have him with us and I hope he enjoyed his time with us too.  Over 750 of our members were in the audience and I think they all thoroughly enjoyed the evening.” Arts and Literature Society

“Excellent – very engaging, very relaxed style, with a good level of humour.  Jim talked about overcoming adversity by working a as a team, but also respecting each other as individuals and working with their strengths to help them and the team achieve why this was important.  The audience were very captivated and energised – lots of questions at the end and I’m sure the questions would have kept coming if we had the time.  Jim was very happy to stay and chat to people at the end, a very approachable person who is obviously very passionate about what he does which very much came across in his presentation.  I think a few people were even tempted to find out how to be part of one of his expeditions.” Pfizer

“An excellent presentation and content to his talks. Unfortunately this voyage has only allowed for 2 talks to be held due to so many additional lectures with the Trunk show & port talks etc, but I believe Jim would also hold an excellent Q&A which I would be keen to include next time. I received only really positive feedback in regards to Jim’s talks.”  Cunard – RMS Queen Victoria

“Considering the extreme danger inherent in the environments in which Jim McNeill is required to work he calmly turns his experiences into an enthralling, engaging and often very amusing talk which had everyone on the front of their seats throughout – most of whom were surely thinking “I’m glad it was Jim out there, not me”.  Jim is evidently very skilled and very brave and he reached both the young and adults in the audience.” The Binfield Winfield and Warfield Arts Week
 
“Anyone with a genuine interest in or love of the Arctic Polar Regions who has not had the pleasure of sitting through Jim’s superb talk ‘Exploring the Polar Regions’ has missed out on something special. The photography is stunning, particularly the landscapes and wildlife, his narrative is enthralling, informative and at times amusing but this is no sanitised version of the realities of life in such an environment. This is how it is. By the end, it seems as if you have experienced the harsh difficulties with him, lived through the trials and tribulations and you will be left looking around for your jacket as it feels as if the extreme cold of the freezing landscape photos has been reaching out to envelop you.  Cannot wait for the book to come out!”

“What Jim McNeill and his team are doing is pioneering of the most advanced kind..what he is planning pushes man beyond the boundaries and will take him to the most inaccessible places on Earth.” Lord Robert Winston

 “Jim McNeill offers his audience an entertaining and fascinating insight into his truly remarkable adventures. His courage, unyielding determination and dedication to achieving the seemingly impossible left all those in the room feeling humbled and inspired. Any business serious about success should hear his message.” MD, TV

“The children thought that you were brilliant – the best yet – and there has been some tough competition!  I always think that even if you only change one persons’ life for the better and set them on the right path, then it is worthwhile.” Head Teacher

“The tales of Jim’s many Arctic expeditions are unique and thrilling. They are relevant to everyone that has undertaken a personal challenge, the fear of failure or the sacrifice for success each connect very powerfully with the audience.  There are some powerful learning’s for the commercial world.” Chairman

“Jim McNeill was our guest speaker for our aptly entitled ‘Ice Warrior Seminar’. Our aim was to headline the seminar with leading figurehead, advocate and spokesperson Jim McNeill, accomplished Arctic traveller, presenter, speaker and ITN Ice Warrior.”

“We talked to Jim about addressing the effects of global warming on the Arctic ice cap and bringing the reality of global climate change to our audience of invited VIP guests – comprising our most valued city firms, whose CSR policies were starting to become more specific in addressing their efforts to reduce their carbon footprints.   From the moment he took centre stage, he connected with the audience when he started at the very beginning, many years ago – an essential part of getting their attention and impacting upon them later with key messages. I suspect this made him even more credible and authentic.

“He cleverly conveyed what he had to say with real passion, honesty and sincerity; his speech was motivational and inspirational, serving to educate, entertain and enrapt our audience. He also cleverly weaved humour into a speech which, ordinarily, dealt with a very serious subject matter – climate change. I believe this all helped to create a bond between him and his audience, which made what he had to say all the more authentic and impactful.  It goes to show how thought-provoking someone can be, when every one of their audience of invited guests takes the time to express their gratitude and thanks for having been invited.   Thanks Jim!”    Elior UK

“There are some powerful learning’s for the commercial world. Here Jim draws strong parallels to the business arena and provides some compelling insights into the key areas of leadership and teamwork that provide some invaluable and graphic lessons.”  Candour Event Marketing

“Jim proved a highly amusing and engaging speaker who enthralled our audience with his tales of modern adventure. His personal insights into the effects of climate change were delivered with passion and detail. Everyone was both entertained and educated; we will definitely use him again.” Sign-Up.To

“Jim McNeill’s presentation to the Captain Scott Society on the subject of his “Ice Warrior” endeavours was colourful and entertaining but most of all it was thought provoking. Jim gave an honest and unsentimental view of the difficulties he faced in his quest for the four North Poles and also a clear assessment of how global warming is changing the face and nature of the Arctic. The extraordinary images used to good effect during the presentation were graphic, evocative and often dramatic. The knowledge Jim has acquired of the Arctic was obvious and allowed him to speak with authority and assurance.” The Captain Scott Society
 
“Just to say thank you again for taking the time to meet with us yesterday and to help us to think about our team effectiveness in a new way along with inspiring us with your fantastic work and experiences.  I thoroughly enjoyed the sessions which you took us through and I know others did too.  We wish you the very best for your next expedition and the valuable scientific work which you are contributing too.  I’ll be following with interest.” The Cricket Foundation

“Jim has an incredible knowledge and understanding of how to survive and work in extreme climates, which he is able to communicate very effectively” Mark Beaumont – Explorer, Super Cyclist and BBC Scotland Expedition Cameraman
 
“Many thanks for the wonderful lecture you gave to the Friends of the Scott Polar Research Institute. It was fascinating to learn so much about Sir Hubert Wilkins and all of his achievements” Cambridge University.

“Your thought provoking contribution has been greatly appreciated and enjoyed by all and, without question, helped make the event the success it was”. Chief Fire Officers Association

“Anyone with a genuine interest in or love of the Arctic Polar Regions who has not had the pleasure of sitting through Jim’s superb talk ‘Exploring the Polar Regions’ has missed out on something special. The photography is stunning, particularly the landscapes and wildlife, his narrative is enthralling, informative and at times amusing but this is no sanitised version of the realities of life in such an environment. This is how it is. By the end, it seems as if you have experienced the harsh difficulties with him, lived through the trials and tribulations and you will be left looking around for your jacket as it feels as if the extreme cold of the freezing landscape photos has been reaching out to envelop you.
Cannot wait for the book to come out!” Ian, Mary and Shaka the Dog

“Thank you so much for a really interesting and entertaining evening last night.  I thoroughly enjoyed myself – and, although not quite the last to leave, I was very nearly the last! I thought Jim McNeill’s talk was fascinating.

“Absolutely brilliant” Clacton Arts

“Entertaining and fascinating… left all those in the room feeling humbled and inspired… any business serious about success should hear his message.” CEO, ITN Source

One to watch on BBC One – The Last Explorers http://bbc.in/sRwZoh – Jim had the pleasure of leading this expedition.

Jim McNeill spent 9 weeks on Ellesmere Isalnd, Arctic Canada working on the incredible documentary ‘Frozen Planet’ sequel to ‘Planet Earth’ with David Attenborough, this is currently being shown on BBC1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mfl7n

Watch out for Jim being interviewed during a documentary about Predators, this is to be shown on Channel 4 between Christmas and New Year.

Jim has also been involved in a documentary about a team of six led by Jock Wishart on an expedition to row across the Canadian Arctic, from Resolute Bay to the 1996 position of the Magnetic North Pole on Ellef Ringnes Island – ‘Rowing the Arctic’ to be shown soon on BBC http://www