Colin Maclachlan is a distinguished former SAS operator with over 30 years of experience in security and risk management. His remarkable journey began when he joined the army and, by the age of 23, successfully passed selection into the elite 22 SAS. Colin's career has been marked by participation in high-profile missions, including Operation Certain Death, where he played a crucial role in rescuing British soldiers held hostage by a guerilla gang in Sierra Leone. His expertise also saw him as the first sniper on the scene during a hijacked Afghan flight incident in London, which became the longest hostage siege on UK soil.
Colin's experiences took a harrowing turn when he was taken hostage in Basra, Iraq. Enduring a mock execution, he demonstrated remarkable resilience, surviving long enough for British troops to rescue him. Following his time in the SAS, Colin engaged in security consultancy for prominent figures, including the Saudi Royal Family and A-list celebrities. He later pursued higher education, earning a First-Class MA (Hons.) in History from the University of Edinburgh and an MLit in Terrorism from the University of St Andrews.
In addition to his extensive military background, Colin is actively involved in various charitable initiatives, serving as an ambassador for organisations such as the Lee Rigby Foundation and NSPCC. He founded his own charity, Who Dares Cares, which aims to support veterans and those facing stress.
Colin's diverse career equips him to speak on a range of topics, including resilience, leadership, and conflict resolution. He is also a co-founder of Stoic Events, a team-building organisation, and an experienced presenter. His autobiography, The Pilgrim, was released in 2025, further sharing his insights and experiences.
How can I book Colin Maclachlan for my next event?
Email colin.maclachlan@getapeptalk.com, or call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
PepTalk are the official speaking agents for Colin Maclachlan available to book for corporate events, conference keynotes, leadership talks, celebrity endorsements, personal appearances, and motivational speaking engagements. We can assist with enquiries about Colin Maclachlan's speaking fees, availability, and booking process for private business functions, industry conferences, and team events. For media interviews, charity appearances, or personal matters, we recommend contacting Colin directly.
What topics does Colin Maclachlan specialise in?
Colin Maclachlan specialises in discussing leadership, resilience, teamwork and more.
What is Colin Maclachlan's speaking style like?
Colin captivates audiences with his engaging storytelling, blending humour and emotion. His expertise in leadership and resilience creates an enjoyable learning atmosphere, leaving a lasting impact on all attendees.
Does Colin Maclachlan offer virtual speaking engagements?
Yes, Colin Maclachlan offers virtual speaker bookings for webinars, online conferences, and remote or distributed team engagements.