Robert Charles Swan, born on 28 July 1956 in Durham, England and attended Aysgarth School and then Sedbergh School (1969-1974) before completing a BA degree in Ancient History (1976-1979) at St Chad’s College, Durham University. Robert Swan, is a polar explorer, environmental leader and the first person ever to have walked to the North and South poles. He is currently an advocate for the protection of Antarctica and renewable energy. Swan is also the president of 2041, a company which is dedicated to the preservation of the Antarctic.

Robert Charles Swan Was Awarded By The Sovereign, Most Excellent ‘Order Of The British Empire’

Robert Swan At The Inception Of Polar Exploration

Swan’s interest in polar exploration began at school in England where, at the age of eleven, he became inspired by the “Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration” (1895 – 1917) and the race to the South Pole between Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen. It was Scott’s tragic final journey to the South Pole that inspired Swan’s commitment to follow in his footsteps to the Pole.

In 1979, Swan began to raise the necessary funds to reach the Pole. It took him five years of planning and fund raising to reach the $5 million he needed for the expedition. He procured a ship, the ‘Southern Quest’, and convinced 25 people to give up three years of their lives to implement the project.

During that time, Swan lived in a warehouse in London whilst signing up some 2,000 sponsors and assembled a team that included Roger Mear and Gareth Wood as fellow travelers to the South Pole.

“The Greatest Threat To Our Planet Is The Belief That Someone Else Will Save It” - Robert Charles Swan OBE.

Triggering Icy Thoughts

He is an exceptionally gifted communicator and is regarded as one of the world’s top motivational speakers. Swan’s unique insights and lessons learned have enabled him to educate and stimulate young people and business leaders all around the world. He compares his icy experiences to boardroom maneuvers and his inspirational addresses on leadership and teamwork have received acclaim from discerning audiences worldwide. His contribution to both education and the environment have been recognized through his appointment as UN Goodwill Ambassador for Youth, a visiting Professor of the School of the Environment at Leeds University and in 1994 he became Special Envoy to the Director General of UNESCO. He was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1995. Robert Swan has an extraordinary ability to inspire those around him into action. His presentations continue to thrill, uplift and stimulate audiences worldwide.