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Monty Halls is a former Royal Marines Officer and internationally recognised speaker on leadership, change and high performance under pressure.
Early in his military career, Monty worked with Nelson Mandela during South Africa’s transition through the early 1990s peace process, gaining first hand experience of leadership during periods of profound uncertainty and change. After leaving the forces, he went on to lead expeditions in some of the most unpredictable environments on Earth, experiences that would shape his thinking around decision making, team culture and resilience.
Monty’s career then expanded into broadcasting, where he became one of the UK’s most respected documentary makers. He has presented and produced numerous award winning programmes for the BBC, National Geographic, Discovery and Channel 5. He is best known for the hugely popular BBC series Great Escapes, which followed Monty and his dog Reuben living on the remote west coasts of Scotland and Ireland. He has also fronted landmark natural history series including Great Barrier Reef and Fisherman’s Apprentice.
Alongside broadcasting, Monty is a prolific writer, having authored thirteen books and contributing regularly to newspapers and magazines. His writing and speaking are underpinned by a deep interest in how elite teams function in complex, fast changing environments. His most recent work explores the origins of the Commandos in the Second World War, examining how initiative, adaptability and strong culture helped shape an organisation capable of operating effectively in chaos.
In recent years, Monty has also worked extensively in sustainability and conservation. He has collaborated with international partners to develop an accessible marine sampling system that allows non scientists to gather meaningful environmental data, a system now being used across the UK. He is President of the Galapagos Conservation Trust, the Durrell Wildlife Foundation, a patron of Help for Heroes, and supports numerous conservation organisations.
As a speaker, Monty is in demand nationally and internationally. He speaks to corporate, education and public sector audiences on leadership under duress, team culture, change and operating effectively in stressful environments. His talks are grounded in real world experience and centred on the power of strong culture as a stabilising force in times of uncertainty. Audiences value his ability to translate extraordinary experiences into practical, relevant insight that resonates long after the event.
Monty explores the art of clear, decisive communication under pressure, drawing on military operations, expeditions, and broadcasting. Audiences learn how to convey messages effectively, listen actively, and adapt communication style to different personalities and high-stakes situations, improving decision making and reducing misunderstandings in teams.
Monty shares lessons in leadership under duress from his time in the Royal Marines, leading expeditions, and navigating unpredictable environments. He illustrates how resilience, initiative, and strong culture create high-performing teams, providing actionable strategies for leading with confidence and inspiring trust in both corporate and educational settings.
Through tales of expeditions in some of the world’s most challenging environments, Monty inspires audiences to embrace curiosity, risk-taking, and adaptability. This talk highlights how exploration fosters problem-solving, self-awareness, and the courage to venture beyond comfort zones, both professionally and personally.
Monty shows how elite teams operate effectively under pressure, from commando units to expedition crews. Participants discover the principles of collaboration, trust, role clarity, and resilience, gaining practical tools to enhance cohesion, morale, and performance in their own teams.
Designed for schools, universities, and educational organisations, Monty demonstrates how real-world experience can inspire learning, curiosity, and leadership in students. He covers strategies for fostering engagement, resilience, and self-confidence, while helping educators create inclusive and motivating learning environments.
Monty shares insights from his work in marine conservation and environmental projects, showing how individuals and organisations can make measurable impacts. This talk emphasises innovation, collaboration, and practical actions that can drive sustainability at both local and global levels.
Drawing on his experiences across military, expeditions, and media production, Monty demonstrates how to cultivate creativity and problem-solving in complex, uncertain conditions. Participants learn techniques for challenging assumptions, embracing experimentation, and turning bold ideas into tangible outcomes.
Massive thanks as well to guest speaker Monty Halls for two unbelievable talks and a reminder to consider our roles as mentors, anchor our values, choose our attitude and “crack on.”
Without doubt, his talk to our conference delegates was one of the most inspirational and entertaining that we’ve had for years. Monty is an outstanding speaker and even audiences who are jaded by conference overload are electrified by his passion and zest for life. He left our delegates buzzing.
