Al Sylvester MBE

Al stands at the fore and describes the conception of his Antarctic expedition, the drive and passion he displayed over 2 1/2 years to tirelessly battle with administrators and financiers to achieve the expeditions approval and to raise £185K. He outlines how he selected, built and trained his team to progress and survive in temperatures averaging -35 degrees to reach the bottom of the earth. Throughout, he portrays the many comparatives between the leadership and management style of running such expeditions and rescue operations to that of international corporate companies and leading sports teams. Finally Al describes the heart breaking challenges of sustaining frostbite and the adversities of mental health that drove him to the depths of depression. He He concludes his life changing presentation with breathtaking examples of resilience and determination of the highest order, proving that anybody with positive belief can recover and once again achieve their dreams.

Individual physical strength and mental resilience. Al presents a heart on the sleeve presentation about his unsupported 881 mile walk between Land's End to John O' Groats in under 40 days in memory of his best friend who succumbed to Cancer at the age of 43. Al describes the shear grit and determination required to prove that any person or any team can achieve their objective, if the task is planned, trained and executed with discipline. He compares this extreme endurance challenge with that of personnel within management and to those who challenge themselves daily on the shop floor. He proves it's not just the physical challenge, but with mental resilience and passionate communication he successfully completed this torturous journey while raising almost £28K in the process for the hospice who provided his best friend palliative care.