The Participants

Sibusiso is a former game ranger, mountaineer and adventurer. He is Africa’s most celebrated adventurer and the first black person to summit Everest (now twice). He is also the only known black person to have completed the ‘Adventurers Grand Slam’ (climbing the seven summits and reaching both poles). He is a marathon runner and pioneer in exploration, and lives by a philosophy of “no limits.”

Paul is the Founder and CEO of BecomingX, a learning and development company he set up with Bear Grylls to create a world where everyone can realise their potential. He works with some of the world’s most inspiring and iconic people to demystify what it takes to succeed and to help people build the confidence and skills to succeed. Paul has two world records for organising and completing the World’s Deepest Marathon.

Gavin founded Adventure Alternative in 1991 after global travels and expeditions, later creating the Moving Mountains charity to support communities in Kenya and Nepal. He is a ‘seven summitter’ and has climbed Everest six times. A mountaineer and social entrepreneur, he raised millions through climbs, and continues guiding, training, and travelling while upholding a tourism-for-charity model.

Nigel has spent over 25 years writing and speaking about mountaineering. President of Buxton Mountain Rescue and part of the Winter Spine Race safety crew, he released Frostbitten in 2025, documenting how he survived nearly dying on a 1999 climb. He has since tackled mountains worldwide, raced glaciers, worked in jungles and disaster zones, and repeatedly embraced truly epic challenges.

David began as a structural engineer with Arup before spending 11 years on Accenture’s Global Executive Board, leading major industry groups and the UK–Ireland business. Since retiring in 2014, he has built a portfolio of business and charity roles. He summited Kilimanjaro in 2019 and is now aiming to go even higher on Ojos del Salado.

Renee is the Global Lead for Sales Pitch Coaching at Accenture. She also volunteers as a Collider Fellows Mentor at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, where she empowers artists with the business skills to bring their creative ambitions to life. A lover of challenge and adventure, Renee has completed the NYC Marathon, sailed around the world in 100 days, and summited Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Andrew, from Blackpool, began in hospitality before moving into technology and public service leadership. He leads Accenture’s North West UK region, drives digital innovation in Health & Public Services, and has implemented change in over 100 countries. A creative thinker, he’s authored two books on morality and resilience, honoring those who shaped his journey.

Tracey’s diverse career spans being an elephant rider in an Italian circus to policing, including armed response and domestic violence roles. Known for bravery, calmness, and dedication to protecting vulnerable people, she welcomes new challenges, viewing this event as a way to build both her physical and mental resilience, having successfully climbed Kilimanjaro in 2018.