Rona Cant : International keynote speaker, adventurer and author

Publications

A Challenge Too Far? My personal account of the BT Global Challenge Round the World Yacht Race. ‘Snow, Sleds & Silence’ the story of the Nordkapp Expedition. Rona's books chart the challenges faced on two of her major expeditions. Fast-paced and enthralling they are nevertheless full of quiet observations and interesting insights into the lessons learned when people are tasked with working together to outwit the elements.

Expertise

Conquering challenge and change, overcoming fear of failure, and effectively leading and being led – Rona uses her experiences as powerful demonstrations of how every person, no matter what their background, status, or function can work with others to achieve the seemingly impossible.

Full of energy and excitement, Rona’s visual presentations are not just enthralling and entertaining, but provide a template for businesses seeking to ride the challenges of an increasingly fast-paced world with each presentation being tailored, if required, to convey specific business messages.

Rona is what every company is seeking – a twenty-first century alchemist. Her great strength is her ability to inspire and motivate others to fulfil their potential and achieve their goals; whilst her combination of down-to-earth true grit, infectious enthusiasm and humour generates a communication style that is quite inimitable.

Only a few short years ago, before embarking upon her epic rite of passage to become the renowned world traveller, adventurer, and inspirational communicator she is today, she was the epitome of ‘ordinary’ – an unexceptional, middle-aged, single parent.

Rona had a dream which was to lead her, as an alarmingly novice sailor, to join the 2000 BT Global Challenge Round the World Yacht Race. Her triumphant achievement (published in full in her book, “A Challenge too Far?”) was followed soon after by numerous other adventures including trekking the notorious West Coast Trail where a combination of bears, cougars and injury made the demanding trek even more treacherous.

In 2003 Rona tackled the challenge of the Arctic, dog-sledding across the frozen wilderness in temperatures as low as -30ºC. A mere three weeks later she went on to win the inaugural Round Britain Challenge on the same boat in which she sailed round the world. Hardly pausing for breath, 2004 saw her tackling the journey they said couldn’t be done - dog-sledding 600 kilometres to the northernmost tip of Europe on the Nordkapp Expedition.

In 2004 Rona also launched her business development consultancy, The BIG Question – established to help organisations and individuals introduce and implement effective behavioural change.

Customers Include

LloydsTSB, International Shipping Federation, IIR Finance Ltd. - London & Dubai, HSBC, Oxford Brookes University, Save the Children, Fife Council, Johnnie Walker Whiskey, GQ Magazine, National Portrait Gallery, Women in Management, Inside Job, Women's Business Network, Wenta Business Club, King's Sutton Literary Festival, SHE plc, Thames Valley Business Network, Women in Business, National Speakers' Association – NZ, Wrexham Science Festival, CCLRC.

Endorsements

A remarkable woman and as such it was an inspiration to hear her speak.” “I take on the gems of leadership and managerial courage from this. Superb! Leadership, teambuilding, focus, dedication, strength, courage, success, failure - although I'd heard this before, in this format it was extremely powerful."

"Inspirational, brilliant and vivid." "Very entertaining." "The presentation and delivery style were excellent. If only we could produce a Rona Clone!" "Delighted… would not hesitate to recommend you."

"Rona is a great story teller, who is able to demonstrate the value of teamwork and a positive attitude. Whilst being entertaining, she clearly highlights lessons learned regarding planning and organisation skills, as well as the value of delegation and recognising the strengths within a team. This message will always be of value to any Company or organisation"

"Highly motivational and inspiring. Rona is able to make the impossible, possible and in the telling of her adventures encourages others to try to make changes that they want to happen in their lives too. Thank you Rona for bringing your spirit of adventure to our workplace and for your help in motivating us to introduce something new or different into our work and personal lives"

"Thank you very much for your excellent presentation last week at our first anniversary. The response has been very positive."

"Great impact! Gripping…. We all enjoyed your talk a great deal."

"Fantastic speaker, inspiring", "Interesting, amazing story", "Brave lady", "Very good way of looking at leadership skills and the way a team should work together"

"I would like to extend my appreciation and thanks for your valuable contribution"

"It was a real pleasure to catch Rona on a flying visit to Wellington, New Zealand in February 2005 where she joined the Global Challenge Round the World Yacht Race for the leg to Sydney. It was particularly good to be able to hear her speak about her experiences in the 2000/2001 Challenge on the Save the Children yacht. Rona is a great storyteller and takes her audience 'along for the ride'. Coupled with her audio visuals, she made it possible for us to savour many of her special memories, both poignant and scary. She gave us a real taste of adventure from the perspective of a self confessed (one-time) 'unexceptional' woman. She is clearly nothing of the sort today!"

Learn more...

• To motivate your audience find out more about Rona by visiting www.ronacant.com.
• To find out about our innovative Business Development Programme visit www.thebigquestion.co.uk