KEN HAMES
Since leaving an impressive military career, real life, action hero, Ken Hames has brought a unique slant on the many documentaries that he has written and presented for TV. His latest ground breaking, TV Series, ‘Beyond Boundaries’ for BBC 2 sees Ken leading an expedition of disabled people (one of whom was blind), across Nicaragua, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean in a record breaking, 300 km trek starting in the Mosquito Coast and ending one month later as a world first. The series will show the team going through jungles in over 40 degrees of heat, dealing with a dangerous route overrun with drug, running bandits and even climbing the most difficult live volcano in Central America.
His previous series, ‘Desert Darlings’ was broadcast on Channel 4 in 2003. Ken took couples across the Namib Desert, placing their sometimes fragile relationships under the extreme pressures of an expedition. His first series for Channel 4, was the popular, ‘Jungle Janes’, where Ken’s challenge was to turn a group of British women, none of whom had any expedition experience, into a cohesive team fit enough to take on the gruelling jungles of Borneo. It was enjoyed by millions who found this journey an inspiration.
His first television programme was a series, called ‘The Trek’ broadcast by Meridian in 1994. With the help of Diana, Princess of Wales, Ken was able to take twelve disadvantaged youngsters to the heart of Africa on a 500-mile trek over desert and mountainous terrain, The process transformed their lives and Ken still monitors their progress.
These documentaries have proved Ken’s extraordinary ability to inspire and motivate even the most unlikely candidates. His unique skills enable him to take any rabble of individuals and finish with a winning, cohesive team, using sound leadership and thorough training are just some of the tools that he uses. Ken is passionate about empowering people to change their lives for the better.
Alongside creating, setting up and presenting these projects, Ken presented the highly praised series, ‘Greatest SAS Missions’ for Five in 2004, CBBC’s ‘Bring it On’, ‘Hero Factor’ for the Discovery Channel in 2002, ‘Battle Stripes’ for Sky in 2000, ‘Future Fighting Machines’ for the US in 2003, Channel 4’s ‘Shattered’ and ITV’s ‘Celebrity Fit Club’. Ken was also involved from the earliest of stages in the design and development of ITV’s ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here’.
Ken is a real life action man who leads from the front. He has 25 years military experience under his belt, and is one of only a very few to have served in The Parachute Parade, the Royal Marines and the Special Air Service. Interestingly, he was one of the last British soldiers to guard Nazi war criminal, Rudolph Hesse in the infamous stronghold of Spandau in Berlin, and was also there as one of the last British Officers behind the Iron Curtain at the fall of the Berlin Wall, in East Germany. Ken’s operational experience is vast, he completed no less than eight tours of Northern Ireland at the height of the troubles, was at the liberation of Port Stanley in the Falklands and served in the SAS during the first Gulf War after commanding Britain’s anti-terrorist team for a year.
He is an accomplished Mountain Guide and skier and represented Great Britain in cross-country skiing. He has played rugby for the Combined Services, is an expert in the great outdoors in all survival disciplines, an expert diver and climber, and is a keen amateur opera singer!
Testimonials
Thank you for your fantastic presentation. The feedback was excellent. People will not forget ‘Lead, follow or get out of the way’
Martin Goodman, Office of the Director – IBM
Your speech was an inspiration to our audience. You have given IGF members a renewed sense of motivation and desire to succeed.
Paul Foulkes Director of Global Financing -IBM
Ken’s motivational style lifts people’s horizons. He was an absolute inspiration to our delegates.
Carole Nicholl, Director Lehman Brothers
Ken Hames is the master practitioner in the field of training and development. He has the unique ability to inspire other to seek personal transformation and high achievement.
Diana, Princess of Wales
In his leadership master class Ken gave my senior managers a renewed sense of purpose and direction. He is current, credible and inspirational and is particularly adept at getting results in a short timeframe. I continue to use him to keep my leaders at the cutting edge.
Robert Ford CIO EMEA Microsoft Corporation
Ken inspired us all with his motivational conference programme and leadership master class. We are looking forward to the next phase in our business development programme.
Simon Curry Director BT UK
Ken did a fantastic job for us and it was an inspiration to hear him talk and motivate our leadership team. We look forward to his return.
Derek Hudson Vice President UK British Gas
Wherever Ken goes the atmosphere changes significantly. He is able to get results and does this with credibility as someone who is still out there ‘doing it’ so to speak. He has a unique understanding of the pressures facing business today and delivers solutions that will help managers do better.
Jerry Hagann Director GlaxoSmithKline
PROFILE
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