08/11/2022 - Permalink

Debra Searle MBE to speak at Shropshire Leadership Conference

Related topics: Corporate / Partner organisations

Debra Searle MBE, a professional adventurer and serial entrepreneur, will speak at the Leadership Conference in Shrewsbury.

The conference, organised by Shropshire Council’s Shropshire HR, will be held at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury next Tuesday (15 November 2022).

Debra first hit the headlines when she set out to row across the Atlantic with her husband. Unfortunately he had to be rescued, so Debra, a novice rower, continued alone without a support boat and rowed 3,000 miles from Tenerife to Barbados. It should have taken them six weeks, but Debra ended up spending three and a half months at sea alone, encountering 30′ waves, sharks, and force eight squalls in her 23-foot plywood boat. Since returning from this adventure, Debra has undertaken solo and team expeditions across the globe. She has also represented Great Britain at European and World Championship level in Dragon Boat Racing winning bronze, silver and gold medals.

Debra Searle

Debra Searle

Debra has founded five companies including MIX Diversity Developers, a D&I consultancy and training company. She has presented 40 programmes for the BBC and had three books published, most recently The Choose Your Attitude Journal. Her spirit of adventure gained her an MBE from Her Majesty The Queen and she was delighted to be appointed a Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, spending a decade working alongside His Royal Highness Prince Philip and His Royal Highness Prince Edward. Debra has been appointed a Member of the Victorian Order (MVO) for her services to the Royal Family.

In 2021 Debra was ranked No 3 in the World’s Top Motivational Speakers, with only Simon Sinek and Tony Robbins ahead of her. The movie of Debra’s solo Atlantic row is currently in development in Hollywood.

Leadership Conference on 15 Nov 2022 graphic

Leadership Conference on 15 Nov 2022

Debra will be joined by fellow speakers Sir Clive Woodward OBE, England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning head coach, Director of Sport for Team GB at London 2012, and renowned business speaker and executive coach; and Richard Nugent, founder and managing director of TwentyOne Leadership, who will impart their knowledge and experience of leadership.

The conference will also offer those attending the opportunity to rub shoulders with Shropshire’s business elite and feature trade stands, hands-on workshops, and a Wellbeing Zone sponsored by Paycare, as a reminder to prioritise mental health in the workplace.

Over 100 delegates representing public and private sectors, local small and medium enterprises and international businesses have already signed up for the day, but there is still time to buy tickets.

Delegates will be able to arrive from 8.30am, for an official start at 9.15am. The day will draw to a close at 4.10pm, with an opportunity to network afterwards.

Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for finance and corporate resources, said:-

“We’re incredibly lucky to have Debra speaking at our third Leadership Conference and I cannot wait to hear all about her adventures and her take on leadership.

“There’s just one week left to go now. So, if you haven’t already, please make sure that you book your tickets now to avoid disappointment. It’s an event not to be missed.”

Event speakers

Sir Clive Woodward OBE

England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning head coach, Director of Sport for Team GB at London 2012, and renowned business speaker and executive coach.  

Debra Searle MBE 

Debra is a professional adventurer and serial entrepreneur.  Her expeditions have taken her across the Atlantic, around Antarctica, up to the Arctic Circle and everywhere in between.  She has also launched five companies, is a published author, has presented for the BBC and is a trusted corporate speaker. The movie of Debra’s Atlantic rowing story is currently in development in Hollywood.

Richard Nugent

Over the past 20 years Richard Nugent has worked with some of the biggest and best-known organisations in the world including LEGO, Merlin Entertainments, Warner Bros. and Samsung.

His ALIGNED® methodology is revolutionising how companies operate, communicate and how leaders bring their people on the journey with them.

The approach brings a new perspective to leadership by smashing two lingering business myths that get in the way of organisations reaching their real potential.

  • The first myth is that strategy eats culture for breakfast.
  • The second myth is that great organisations start with ‘why?’
  • By challenging these popular myths, ALIGNED® reveals how you can grab a competitive advantage by aligning strategy, culture and customer experience.

Event sponsors

The Leadership Conference 2022 is proud to be sponsored by:

For businesses wanting to exhibit at the event, there are a variety of packages to suit different budgets and needs. Businesses can find out more about the opportunities available to them by emailing darren.griffin@shropshire.gov.uk.  

Keep up to date

For latest updates, follow the Leadership conference on Twitter @shropshirehr  #ShropshireLeadership2022  

About Shropshire HR

Shropshire HR are part of Shropshire Council, providing not-for-profit HR support to councils, charities and businesses in Shropshire, the West Midlands and Wales. Services include HR advice and development, recruitment and payroll support, occupational health and health and safety guidance.