Mark Denton

Mark is an international award winning speaker focussed on helping Leaders, Teams and Organisations ‘Navigate the storm’ through the turbulent waters of business today.

His real-life case study of leading a diverse amateur team to success in the worlds toughest round the world yacht race, the BT Global Challenge has been applauded by 1000’s worldwide.

“A game-changing speaker everyone will remember forever” – Pierre-Olivier Landry, Head of HR, Ceva Logistics
Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great Sports Speakers now to book motivational leadership speaker Mark Denton for your next live or virtual event.  Contact us.

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Highly relevant learning from Mark Denton

Learn why the combination of these three factors are all you need for sustainable performance AND resilience in the turbulent world of today:

SAFE
Why Physical, Emotional and Psychological Safety are the crucial foundations of collective human endeavour.
HAPPY
That without Inclusion, Motivation and Self Actualisation, people will never give their all.
FAST
– How Focus, Efficiency and Agility are the ‘must-haves’ to thrive through constant adversity and change.
A unique approach

Mark is a rare mix of authentic leader, fallible human being and gifted storyteller.

His humorous but poignant story of leading a diverse amateur team to success in the world’s toughest yacht race is as compelling as you will get.

That combined with amazing footage, stunning images and the most powerful takeaway messages has proven an intoxicating and memorable mix across any industry, sector or border

Mark Denton – The story…

Known as the ‘world’s toughest yacht race’, it’s a 32000 mile, multi-stage event that traverses the worlds’ oceans against the spin of the earth.

Staged over 10 gruelling months, it’s contested by 12 teams with identical equipment and budgets.

It’s also a race that anyone can take part in, the crews being all amateurs, 70% having never sailed before.

And with just one professional skipper on each team of 18 to pull it all together, it’s the ultimate test of leadership and teamwork.

Mark Denton English Leadership teamwork resilience speaker coach BT Global Challenge yacht race at Great British Speakers

For motivational speaker Mark, it was the culmination of 10 years climbing the ladder and the pinnacle of his sailing career.

That said, he was still one of the least experienced skippers on the start line.

However, what he lacked in technical expertise and outright sailing miles he more than made up for in emotional intelligence and people skills.

So, what happened and what made the difference?

How did he achieve and sustain competitive advantage?

Get ordinary people to achieve an extraordinary thing in such a highly competitive and constantly changing environment?

Well sharing this crucial learning as a conference and keynote motivational speaker, and doing that in a really engaging way is Marks’ passion, mission and forte, so that others can benefit from his hard-earned learning.

How does the presentation unfold?

Mark Denton Leadership teamwork resilience speaker BT Global Challenge yacht race at Great British Speakers

Chronologically structured to mirror the race’s 8 key stages, the story is a real roller coaster of a journey that literally has audiences hanging on the edge of their seats.

And frequently with a lump in their throat and a tear or two!

Each section is a mix of the presenter’s rich insight, honesty, humility and humour, blended with stunning video footage and images that bring the learning alive.

Mark Denton UK Leadership teamwork resilience speaker coach BT Global Challenge yacht race at Great British Speakers

Superb takeaway real-life benefits from Mark Denton

The key lessons are highlighted throughout, before being summarised at the end before leading into the always vibrant Q&A session. Key learning points include the importance of:

  • Vision and Values
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Playing to strengths
  • Structuring the team for success
  • Goal setting
  • Identifying critical success factors
  • Developing a learning culture
  • Communication
  • Collaboration and teamwork
  • Courageous Leadership
  • Humility
  • Feedback
  • Dealing with setbacks
  • Inspiring and empowering
  • Innovating
  • Maintaining motivation
  • Resilience
  • Managing risk
  • Coaching
  • Recognition and reward
Mark Denton Talk Delivery Options

Such is the flexibility and depth of the story that not only is it available as a traditional keynote speech, but also as an interactive ‘Masterclass’.

 

This is where the story is built up to key leadership and team tests, and then delegates in teams are charged with solving them to deepen the learning.

Mark Denton – Keynote Speech

Limitless delegates, Latest AV technology, 30 – 90 minute durations, One way download Can be split pre/post lunch/dinner, across a day, Q&A at the end

Mark Denton – Masterclass Seminar

Up to 250 persons in groups of 4-10 persons, 1/2 or 1 day duration, The story but interspersed with Interactive group breakouts at key challenge points.Can be made competitive with scoring and prizes.Q&A at the end

Mark Denton Leadership teamwork resilience speaker coach BT Global Challenge at Great British Speakers

Mark Denton – Clients include

Land Rover, BP, Scott Dunn, Zoopla, Barclays, Kier, Honda, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Lloyds, Argos, 3M, Toyota, Reckitt Benckiser, Electrolux, Toyota, Zurich, Novartis, Castrol, HSBC, BUPA, Coca Cola, Goodyear, Credit Suisse, GSK and Schweppes.

A Chat with Mark Denton

As part of our ‘Chat with…’ podcast series at Great British Speakers, our director Jane Farnham sat down with Mark to talk about his experiences in the round-the-world yacht race, and how these life skills can translate to business organisations, particularly in a post-Covid world.

Find out more HERE.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great Sports Speakers now to book motivational leadership speaker Mark Denton for your next live or virtual event.  Contact us.

Key Information

Award-Winning Speaker🔹Podium Winning Skipper🔹Keynote and Masterclass🔹Leadership🔹Teamwork🔹Resilience

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