Levison Wood

Levison Wood is a professional explorer, writer and photographer. Over the last decade he has had ten critically-acclaimed documentary series which have aired around the world, in which he has walked the length of the Nile, the Himalayas, the Americas, crossed the Caucasus, circumnavigated the Arabian Peninsula, followed the migration and conservation of elephants in Botswana and more.

Levison is an elected fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Explorer’s Club. He is an ambassador for UNICEF and Leica. He served as an officer for several years in the Parachute Regiment, where he saw combat operations in Afghanistan.

He has written 12 best-selling books about his journeys, including a motivational book called The Art of Exploration, which was released in June 2021. ‘Britain’s best loved adventurer’ (The Times) talks about his secrets of discovery for the first time in this revealing manual of what it means to be an explorer in the modern age. He shares his own stories, as well as examples of pioneers in many fields, using their work to show how we can all develop our own explorer’s mindset and how these lessons can be applied in daily life. With chapters on curiosity, teamwork, resilience and positivity this is a book that provides a tool kit – no matter your age or profession.

He has recently completed his fifth UK-wide speaking tour. He also often gives adventure-filled talks to companies, charities and universities on leadership and teamwork. He shares his amusing and poignant tales of life on the road and his transition from Parachute Regiment soldier to modern day explorer. With further stories and behind the scenes moments from his journeys all over the world for Channel 4, Levison asks why we travel. As well as the people and places that have inspired him, he’ll reveal the perils of life on expeditions, what it’s like being chased by hippos, shot at by gunmen, falling off a mountain and meeting illustrious figures such as the Dalai Lama along the way.

Levison Wood offers engaging, bespoke keynote talks and fireside chats, tailored to every audience. With captivating stories from his global adventures, he inspires teams and leaders to embrace the explorer’s mindset, whether they’re navigating risk, leading innovation, or fostering collaboration. His talks are enhanced with videos and photos from his expeditions, ensuring every session is immersive, interactive, entertaining and impactful.

His topics include: exploration, leadership, teamwork, creativity, adaptability, curiosity, having an ‘explorers mindset’, history, politics, photography, global affairs, environmental issues, wildlife conservation and much more…

Keynote Topics:

All talks are totally customisable based on your needs, but here are some examples of previous talks Levison has given:

The Art of Exploration: Leadership lessons from the road less travelled

Drawing from his experiences navigating remote landscapes and challenging environments, Levison explores the critical traits of effective leadership: resilience, adaptability, and curiosity. Through his own journey- whether crossing the Himalayas or walking the length of the Nile- he shares how leaders can thrive in uncertainty and lead teams through adversity.

Risk: The explorer’s approach to decision-making

In this dynamic talk, Levison dissects the importance of calculated risk-taking, both in expeditions and business. Using real-life anecdotes of facing danger in warzones, wild landscapes, and remote regions, he illustrates how to assess risk, embrace uncertainty, and make bold, informed decisions that lead to success.

Beyond Survival: Teamwork under pressure in extreme environments

Teamwork is essential when faced with life-threatening challenges. Levison discusses the power of collaboration in the toughest environments, sharing how diverse teams- whether military, scientific, or in business- succeed by relying on trust, communication, and mutual respect.

Creativity Under Pressure: Finding innovative solutions in the field

In this talk, Levison shows how exploration forces one to think outside the box. From navigating unknown terrains to finding solutions to life-threatening problems, he demonstrates how an “explorer’s mindset” fosters creativity and innovation in the face of adversity.

Conservation and Adventure: Exploring the world’s fragile ecosystems

Levison shares his experiences working alongside conservationists and exploring the world’s most endangered regions. Through captivating stories from his wildlife-focused expeditions, he delves into the importance of preserving our planet and discusses how businesses and individuals can play an active role in environmental stewardship.