Jim McNeill

Jim McNeill, who describes himself as a modern day explorer who explores change and develops people to realise their full potential, played a major role in the success of the incredible BBC series Frozen Planet as well as the, soon to be aired, The Last Explorers  series which charts the exploits of long forgotten explorers including William Speirs Bruce, a prolific explorer in the same time as Scott and Shackleton.

 
During the filming of Frozen Planet, Windsor based Jim, who has been doing polar region expeditions for more than twenty years, handled the logistics, safety, equipment and expedition training, he guided the camera crews to locations where rare Arctic animals could be filmed.  In a recent talk at the Cafe Scientifique in Reading, the 50-year-old said: “They intially asked me to find Arctic wolves. I gave them a location and they took me on as a guide and to train some of the teams.”  He said on one ‘interesting’ shoot it took a team 10 days to find wolves, before he led them to a den in a valley where a pack of eight were huddled together.  Jim was involved in filming for Frozen Planet series over a four year period starting in 2008.

 
The polar expert is planning an expedition to the Arctic Pole - where he will walk 800 miles to the Northern Pole of Inaccessibility, defined as the point furthest from land or sea in any direction.  Along the way to the pole the team will be collecting scientific data from a region of the ice cap that has yet to be measured. Visit www.ice-warrior.com for further information.  To read Jim’s full Bio, or to book Jim to speak at your next event, visit our web site: www.room54.co.uk

Global Entrepreneurship Week  begins today, in a week where youth employment figures are predicted to show that one million young people are now on the dole.  The young entrepreneurs of today see the economic crisis as an opportunity to do something for themselves.

The Independent profiled 10 successful young British entrepreneurs, including one of our brilliant inspirational speakers Ruth Amos, age 22 who designed the StairSteady as part of a GCSE design project and has subsequently set up her business to launch the product to enable people with limited mobility to use the stairs confidently.  Ruth told The Independent:

“Being a young entrepreneur can be a challenge – my view is that you can start a business at any age but the important thing is to identify a need for your product and be passionate about achieving your goals. Age can be your biggest weakness but also your biggest strength. I now run StairSteady Ltd full time and use my experience to help other young, aspirant entrepreneurs by giving talks in schools and colleges. The most important piece of advice is to ask questions. Don’t be afraid, as it is the only way to improve and grow, and everyone has been inexperienced at one stage. Take on board other people’s opinions, learn from them but make sure you make the final decision for yourself – you have to believe in every decision you make. The most important part of entrepreneurship is passion so, above all else, enjoy it.”

To read the full article in the Independent: http://t.co/quRLf6Ez

To read the full article click the link below..

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/article-23999618-just-call-me-big-sams-no2-after-my-team-talk-inspired-a-4-0-hammers-win.do

Tim Campbell has an extensive list of  achievements to be proud of since he became winner of the first series of The Apprentice in 2005, to name a few of these … he is a social enterprise ambassador, apprenticeship adviser for the Government and business angel for young and disadvantaged entrepreneurs, Tim Campbell has his finger on the pulse of business in the UK.  

RBS ‘Business Sense’ magazine interviewed him recently to find to discuss the current business landscape. 

http://www.rbs-businesssense.co.uk/interviews/Tim-Campbell-Interview2.html

Kanya, who still gets just as excited about the event, after all these years, said that it has been a brilliant year for music generally, she said.. “This is what we’re so proud about. It’s a fantastic showcase to the rest of the world.”  For the full article click the link below:

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/music/interviews/Kayna+King+MOBO+interview-99687.html

John had access to a radio towards the end of his imprisonment and has fond memories of the World Service.  John was asked to examine the future of the service by an organisation called the ‘Commonwealth Broadcasting Service’ and expects media and public interest in his findings.

The BBC broadcaster kidnapped in the Lebanon by extremists and held captive in solitary confinement for much of the time, will host a series of presentations highlighting the plight of today’s victims who don’t have a public platform to voice experiences as he does. As a celebrity patron of the charity he will also be guest after dinner speaker at the all day event on August 8th.

At the time of his capture, McCarthy was a journalist working for Worldwide Television News. Following his release, he co-authored, with Jill Morrell, a memoir of his years in captivity, entitled Some Other Rainbow.

The Freedom from Torture charity event will be especially poignant as it will bring memories into sharp focus. But he hopes that the powerful stories he tells will change attitudes and highlight the horrendous experiences of thousands of people who can never return home as he could and whose stories are doubted when they seek asylum.

In the run up to the event John has been reflecting on the motivational talks he gives, which inspire audiences to overcome their own business and personal obstacles.  John has a unique and inspirational story about courage, survival and self-discovery, and he tells it with eloquence and wit.  It is not unknown for John to have a standing ovation at an event!

John has made several films about the Middle East and has written four books.  He is currently writing another book due to be published next year and co-presents the @BBCradio4 programme ‘Excess Baggage’ with Sandy Toksvig.

t: 01753 481 160
e: john@johnmccarthytalks.co.uk
e: jan@room54.co.uk
w: www.johnmccarthytalks.co.uk
w: www.room54.co.uk

For further information on the work of Freedom from Torture see http://freedomfromtorture.org/ or call 020 7697 7837, @freefromtorture

Tim says that “I dreamed of creating an organisation which would give young people equal access to real world information and support them with ideas in creating their own businesses, allowing them to make their dreams reality.”

 With the help of politicians, dignitaries, business organisations and the media, Tim and his team have developed a unique and compelling business model. He had the backing of the Charity Commission and Community Interest Companies (CIC) which is a new type of limited company designed specifically for those wishing to operate for the benefit of the community rather than for the benefit of owners of the company. This means that a CIC cannot be formed or used solely for the personal gain of a particular person or group of people.“We chose to be a charity because we wanted to emphasise our social intentions to help others and a structure that would enable us to engage with forward thinking companies through their Corporate Social Responsibility’

 For book Tim Campbell for your next event, contact Debbie@room54.co.uk  

http://www.room54.co.uk

Roger, who lives in Guildford, has a close association with the university also based in Guildford, he did his weight training at the campus gym before his international successes.

Roger said: “It’s a great honour. The university has played a great part in my success and I am pleased to continue our good relationship.”

And commenting on the new £35m Surrey Sports Park at the university which will be used by Olympic teams next year, he said: “It’s just a fantastic facility and of great benefit both to local people and the university.”