John Sullivan
Course Instructor
Biography
John Sullivan is a former Royal Marines Commando of nine years’ experience. He has operated in some of the world’s most challenging environments - Jungle, Desert and Arctic. John’s passion in life is to explore with a sense of purpose. Working alone, this has taken him to some of the remotest corners of the world to research and set up factual programmes for the BBC and the National Geographic Channel. He has also led numerous life-changing conservation expeditions for young people to Namibia, Belize and Borneo.
Advisor to the BBC, Channel 5 and National Geographic Channel
John has excelled in the realm of freelance consultancy. He has remarkable first-hand knowledge of many remote regions of the world. He develops unique networks of in-country contacts - often local tribes. John uses these to advise media groups and expedition leaders on how best to deal with the cultures and natural environments of the countries they plan to explore.
John is in great demand from the top TV Companies. His aptitude to inhospitable conditions in remote areas uniquely qualifies him for TV ‘groundwork’ and preparation. The BBC hired him to make all in-country arrangements for Last Man Standing and Extreme Dreams. For Channel 5, he executed a similar brief for the programme, Unbreakables. More recently, John prepared all the pre-shoot arrangements in Papua New Guinea for the National Geographic Channel’s documentary, Eating with Cannibals.
John loves nothing more than to pass on his passion for the natural world and for the peoples of the most remote regions of the planet. As an extreme survivalist, he is always looking for that next adventure!
Guest Speaker at St James Palace and Buckingham Palace for the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards
John is a keen supporter of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. He enjoys a close affinity with the sense of achievement that young people feel following their success.
John feels immensely proud to be asked every year to attend award presentations at St James Palace. Along with His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex, he presents the Gold Awards to the successful young people.
John also feels honoured to be a regular guest speaker at this event. He gives a rousing speech, congratulating the young people on their amazing achievements. They, in turn, feel a similar sense of privilege; not only are they rewarded for their efforts by meeting members of the Royal Family, but they also get to know John Sullivan, a man whose own achievements so often mirror their own.