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Record-breaking sailor & speaker

Nikki Henderson

Transform teams through extreme challenges with Nikki Henderson, speaker and record-breaking sailor. Nikki works with executives and organisations to develop leadership resilience and high-performance teamwork, delivering powerful insights from her experience as the youngest skipper in round-the-world yacht racing.

Trusted by 59 North Sailing, Outremer, Yachting World

Nikki Henderson

Speaker Biography

Key topics about

  • Youngest skipper of a round-the-world yacht race
  • Motivational speaker on leadership and teamwork
  • Advocate for women in leadership and endurance sports
Nikki Henderson is a record-breaking sailor, speaker, and storyteller. She became the youngest person to skipper a round-the-world yacht race and inspires audiences worldwide through motivational speaking. Nikki shares insights into the human aspects of extreme endurance sports, highlighting the importance of leadership and teamwork. Her talks cater to diverse audiences, from primary school students to international executives. She delivers tailored keynote speeches and conducts leadership and team-building workshops, helping teams navigate the challenges of working with unfamiliar colleagues. By immersing participants in scenarios akin to five weeks at sea, she illustrates the personal struggles of leadership and how to apply these lessons in various contexts. Nikki is dedicated to reaching a broad audience and offers special rates for schools and non-profits. She encourages others to "stand tall and make the right decisions for you." Thirteen years ago, Nikki chose a path that diverged from the typical trajectory for young adults, seeking a deeper understanding of life and leadership. Her first decade was filled with record-breaking achievements, leading teams in perilous environments and exploring the relationship between humanity and nature. She has demonstrated that feminine instincts and youthful intuition are valuable assets in leadership. Currently, Nikki divides her time among three roles. As a professional sailor, she founded an offshore racing programme for 59 North Sailing, serves as a women's ambassador for Outremer, and coaches private clients. As a motivational speaker, she covers topics from high-performance teams to sustainability. As an author, she contributes to Yachting World and Grand Large Yachting and runs her own Substack account. Stay tuned for her upcoming book, which blends adventure memoir with leadership insights, offering guidance on navigating life and relationships through lessons learned in nature.

Nikki's Showreel and Videos

Topics, Sessions and Talks

Lessons in Leadership and Teamwork from a Record Breaking Skipper

Why We Recommend Booking Nikki

Book Nikki Henderson to inspire your team with her extraordinary journey as a record-breaking sailor. Her unique insights into leadership and teamwork, drawn from extreme challenges at sea, will motivate and equip your audience with practical strategies to overcome obstacles and thrive in any environment.

Check Nikki's availability

Trusted by 59 North Sailing, Outremer, Yachting World

Testimonials

It is very rare to meet someone who has the ability to have an impact, such as did you yesterday. You have a quiet authority together with a natural humanity and humility that is a very rare combination. You really did change attitudes.

Dr Nigel Mercer, Plastic Surgery Consultant & FSSA President

Plastic Surgery Consultant & FSSA President

It takes a special kind of person to be a Clipper Race Skipper – part teacher, counsellor and sports coach and so to lead her team to second place (and it was a nail-biting finish!) is an amazing achievement.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston CBE RD

Featured Projects

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frequently asked questions

Got Questions About Booking a Speaker?

What topics does Nikki Henderson specialise in?
Nikki Henderson specialises in discussing sailing, leadership, motivational speaking and more.
What is Nikki Henderson's speaking style like?
Nikki delivers with quiet authority, natural humanity, and humility. Her style blends leadership, empathy, and inspiration, leaving a lasting impact and changing attitudes in a supportive, engaging manner.
Does Nikki Henderson offer virtual speaking engagements?
Yes, Nikki Henderson offers virtual speaker bookings for webinars, online conferences, and remote or distributed team engagements.
Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

Can I request autographs, personal greetings, signed merchandise, or fan mail from the speakers?

Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.

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