Ken Hames started his personal odyssey as a 16-year- old army recruit. He left the army some two decades later as a Major, in command of 600 men. He is one of the very few British officers to have worn the red beret of the Parachute Brigade, the green beret of the Royal Marines and the sand beret of the Special Air Service. His military experience includes nine tours of Northern Ireland, the liberation of Port Stanley in the Falklands war, the first Gulf War and commanding Britain's anti- terrorist team.
Ken describes himself as "passionate about giving people the opportunity to do extraordinary things" - a wish that has led to his own journey from the military to the world of learning and development. Now Operations Director of Farscape Development, a company specialising in behavioural training, Ken is an expert in equipping business people with the skills to perform at their best in any environment.
His first TV show was The Trek, back in 1994. With the help of Princess Diana, he took 12 disadvantaged youngsters to the heart of Africa on a 500-mile journey over desert and mountainous terrain. Diana described Hames as "the master practitioner in the field of training and development". Since then Ken has created and fronted adventure programmes for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, CBBC, Sky and the Discovery Channel.
It is Ken's series Beyond Boundaries that has become his most famous achievement and the programmes have spanned over three series to date. Each one has seen Ken lead various groups of people with disability through some of the world's most challenging wildernesses, on seemingly impossible expeditions.
In Beyond Boundaries 1 Ken led a group on a bold pan- Nicaraguan trek - from The Atlantic to Pacific Ocean - via jungle, desert, river and mountain. This trek had never before been completed, thanks to its arduous terrain, soaring temperatures, drug-running bandits and dangerous wild animals.
Ken uses his vast and diverse experience to inspire vision in others through motivational speaking, coaching and leadership training. He is driven by the desire to help people to unlock their innate potential and is an expert in cultivating the positive behavioural practices which enable people to reach their goals.
Leadership
Self Awareness and High Performance
Attitude and Mind-Set
Teams
Resilience
Risk and Contingency Planning
Safety and Situational Awareness
"Your speech was an inspiration to our audience. You have given IGF members a renewed sense of motivation and desire to succeed."
Director of Global Financing IBM"Wherever Ken Hames goes the atmosphere changes significantly. He is able to get results and does this with credibility as someone who is still out there 'doing it' so to speak. He has a unique understanding of the pressures facing business today and delivers solutions that will help managers do better."
Director, GlaxoSmithKline"Ken did a fantastic job for us and it was an inspiration to hear him talk and motivate our leadership team. We look forward to his return."
Vice President UK, British GasKen Hames is the master practitioner in the field of learning and development. He has the unique ability to inspire others to seek personal transformation and high achievement.
Diana, Princess of WalesKen's motivational style lifts people's horizons. He was an absolute inspiration to our delegates.
Carole Nicholl, Director, Lehman BrothersKen inspired us all with his motivational conference programme and leadership master class. We are looking forward to the next phase in our business development programme.
Simon Curry, Director - BT UK
A dynamic and versatile speaker, Josh is able to draw upon his experience and expertise to give inf…