Debra Searle MVO MBE: "Beyond the Horizon: Exploring Courage, Mindset and Human Potential"

In Beyond the Horizon: Exploring Courage, Mindset and Human Potential, Debra will reflect on the experiences that have shaped her extraordinary career and share compelling insights into resilience, leadership and purpose in an uncertain world.

When conditions change faster than plans, the gap between people who stay productive and people who stall is almost entirely psychological. When Debra’s husband was dramatically rescued from their small boat near the start of an Atlantic crossing, she made the bold decision to continue alone, ultimately rowing solo for 111 days to reach the other side. That journey didn’t just test her endurance; it transformed her mindset. Today, Debra draws from that life-defining experience, along with her success in business leadership, to help others tap into the 75% of performance that research shows comes from attitude, not skillset.

In her powerful inaugural Chancellor’s lecture, Debra will share the mindset strategies she relied on alone at sea and later refined to unlock individual and collective potential, leading to her being listed as of the World’s Top 50 Inspirational Leaders. Grounded in neuroscience and positive psychology, she delivers real-world tools for managing fear and uncertainty, decision making under pressure, unlocking confidence and building personal resilience.

Bringing together students, alumni, educators, employers and community leaders, this special public lecture promises an evening of inspiration, reflection and practical lessons for navigating change with confidence.

Places are limited and advance booking is essential. Register early to avoid disappointment.

Who is Debra Searle?

Debra Searle is a British professional adventurer and serial entrepreneur. Best known for rowing solo across the Atlantic after her husband was rescued just two weeks into the crossing, her expeditions have taken her around Antarctica, up to the Arctic Circle and everywhere in between.

She has also launched five companies, is a published author, has presented 40 programmes for the BBC and is a trusted corporate speaker. Her spirit of adventure gained her an MBE from Her Majesty The Queen and she was delighted to be appointed a Trustee of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, spending a decade working alongside Prince Philip and Prince Edward. Debra was honoured as a Member of the Victorian Order (MVO) for her services to the Royal Family.

In 2021 Debra was ranked No.3 in the World’s Top Motivational Speakers with only Simon Sinek and Tony Robbins ahead of her. In 2023, a British newspaper listed Debra as one of the World’s Top 50 Inspirational Leaders. The movie of Debra’s Atlantic rowing story is currently in development in Hollywood.

Debra lives in Plymouth with her husband and two teenage children and is a proud crew member of Plymouth RNLI.