Ness Knight

Ness Knight is a world record-setting explorer, conservationist and survivalist with a track record of expeditions through some of the most extreme environments on Earth. Her work spans jungles, deserts, savannahs and rivers across the globe, and her journeys offer deep insight into leadership, resilience, and navigating risk in high-pressure conditions. Growing up in Africa, Ness developed a strong connection with the natural world and its delicate ecosystems. This early bond with wildlife and culture continues to shape her mission today: to work with people and the environment in pursuit of conservation, education and storytelling. From becoming the first female in history to swim the entire length of the Thames River to surviving with nothing but a machete in the Taiwan jungle, her expeditions are both physically demanding and mentally transformative. She has completed a world-first descent of the Essquibo River in Guyana, combining scientific exploration with indigenous knowledge to locate the river’s true source. Her solo traverse of the Namib Desert was documented by Red Bull Media House, capturing both the raw landscape and the lives of those who survive there. She has trained with the San Bushmen of the Kalahari and Wai Wai warriors in South America, adopting traditional survival techniques and blending them with modern exploration. Ness shares candid accounts of making life-and-death decisions in remote locations, the value of trusting a team under stress, and how to overcome physical and mental limits. Her style is grounded, honest and often laced with humour, drawing from real-life stories that challenge assumptions and inspire change. Whether addressing boardrooms or field teams, her talks offer clear takeaways on what it takes to perform, lead and adapt when the stakes are high.