Book Oli France for your event
Some of the greatest lessons in leadership are learned far from the boardroom. Oli France has spent more than fifteen years travelling through some of the world's most demanding environments, from Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Somalia to Congo, Siberia and beyond. Along the way, he has experienced interrogations, minefields, avalanches, earthquakes, severe dehydration and countless situations where clear thinking, teamwork and resilience were essential.
These extraordinary experiences have shaped Oli's approach to leadership and performance. His keynote presentations combine remarkable adventure stories with practical insights that audiences can immediately apply in their own organisations. Rather than focusing solely on exploration, Oli demonstrates how the principles behind successful expeditions translate directly into business, leadership and organisational success.
Having spoken for organisations including Google, HP, Rolls-Royce, EDF, AXA and the England Rugby League team, Oli delivers presentations that are both inspiring and highly relevant for leaders, teams and businesses facing constant change.
Leadership under pressure
Leading in extreme environments demands more than technical expertise. It requires trust, adaptability, clear communication and the ability to make confident decisions when circumstances change without warning.
Drawing on real experiences from expeditions across deserts, jungles, mountains and conflict zones, Oli explores how high-performing teams stay focused when the stakes are high. His presentations offer valuable perspectives on:
- Building teams united by purpose and shared vision
- Leading confidently through uncertainty and change
- Developing resilience in individuals and organisations
- Managing risk while continuing to move forward
- Challenging limiting beliefs about performance and potential
These lessons resonate with organisations navigating today's fast-changing business landscape, where uncertainty has become the norm rather than the exception.
The Ultimate Seven
Oli's keynote speeches are enriched by one of the world's most ambitious human-powered expedition projects.
In May 2024, he became the first person this century to complete a fully human-powered journey from Death Valley to Denali. Covering 3,588 miles over 64 days, the expedition connected the lowest point in North America with its highest entirely through human power. The achievement attracted international attention from the BBC, National Geographic, Red Bull and The Times.
The expedition forms part of Oli's world-first Ultimate Seven project, an ambitious mission to become the first person to travel entirely by human power from the lowest point on every continent to its highest.
He successfully completed the Africa stage in 2023 with a demanding 28-day expedition before adding the South America stage in early 2025, completing the route in 34 days. Each journey provides new lessons about endurance, leadership, preparation and the remarkable capacity people possess when working towards meaningful goals.
Finding strength where others see limits
Despite travelling through some of the world's harshest landscapes and most difficult regions, Oli believes that extraordinary human strength often emerges in the most challenging circumstances.
His experiences across more than 80 countries have shown him that resilience is not something reserved for elite adventurers. It is a quality that can be developed by anyone willing to embrace uncertainty, trust others and continue moving forward despite setbacks.
Audiences leave Oli's presentations with a renewed perspective on leadership, teamwork and personal potential. His stories demonstrate that even in the darkest situations it is possible to discover opportunity, purpose and hope.
Whether speaking to senior leaders, management teams or entire organisations, Oli France delivers memorable keynotes that challenge assumptions, inspire action and provide practical tools for performing at a higher level when it matters most.
