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Speaker, rower & diversity expert

Debra Searle

Transform leadership mindsets with Debra Searle, speaker, Atlantic solo rower and diversity expert. Debra works with global organisations to build resilience and drive inclusion, ranked third among World's Top 30 Motivational Speakers and recognised by the Queen with an MBE.

Trusted by ODEON, IBM, Google

Debra Searle, Speaker | Adventurer, Author, Leader
Debra Searle

Debra Searle

Exeter, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£6–10k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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Exeter, United Kingdom

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£6–10k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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Debra Searle's biography

At a glance

  • Known for her remarkable journey across the Atlantic Ocean, rowing 3,300 miles in a 23-foot plywood boat
  • Founder of MIX Diversity Developers, a D&I consultancy and training company
  • Author of three books including Rowing it Alone
Debra Searle MVO MBE is known for her remarkable journey across the Atlantic Ocean. She initially set out to row with her husband, an experienced oarsman, but after he was rescued, Debra, a novice, continued alone. Over 3½ months, she rowed 3,300 miles from Tenerife to Barbados in a 23-foot plywood boat, facing 30-foot waves and harsh weather conditions. Since this adventure, Debra has tackled various solo and team expeditions worldwide. She has represented Great Britain in Dragon Boat Racing at European and World Championship levels, earning multiple medals. Debra has spoken at over 1,100 events globally, covering diverse sectors. Beyond sports, she founded five companies, including MIX Diversity, a consultancy focused on Diversity and Inclusion, allowing her to share insights on business success. She has presented 40 programmes for the BBC and authored three books. Her adventurous spirit earned her an MBE from the Queen, and she served for a decade on a charity board alongside two members of the Royal Family, gaining valuable board-level experience. In 2023, a British newspaper recognised her as one of the World’s Top 50 Inspirational Leaders. Debra was also appointed a Member of the Victorian Order (MVO) for her contributions to the Royal Family. In 2022, she ranked third in the World’s Top 30 Motivational Speakers, following Simon Sinek and Tony Robbins, making her the highest-ranking female speaker globally. A film about her solo Atlantic row is currently in development in Hollywood.

Debra's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Choose To Challenge
Debra Searle took on her first board position at 27 years old, working with members of the British Royal Family. As the youngest and only woman on the Board, it challenged her confidence and courage to speak up and be heard. Now a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultancy, Debra has co-founded The Businesswomen’s Network Forum at Buckingham Palace. In her inspiring talk, attendees will learn how to challenge themselves, confront unconscious bias, and overcome imposter syndrome to enhance their careers and confidence.
Practical Tools To Build Resilience
Debra Searle MBE is one of the few individuals who has spent over 100 days alone at sea, thriving despite the challenges. After her husband developed a crippling phobia of the ocean, Debra rowed the Atlantic solo for 3.5 months. In her session, she shares the mindset and wellbeing strategies she developed during this experience, offering practical insights for navigating today’s challenges. Attendees will learn how to stay positive and productive in the face of adversity.
It's Not Magic, It's Mindset
Did you know that 75% of a top performer’s success stems from a positive attitude, with only 25% linked to skills? Drawing from her incredible experience of rowing the Atlantic solo after her husband’s rescue, Debra Searle shares the mindset tools that sustained her during 111 days at sea. Attendees will learn practical strategies from her ‘Choose Your Attitude Toolkit’ to enhance their resilience and teamwork, enabling them to thrive under pressure in both work and life.

Why we recommend booking Debra

Book Debra Searle as your speaker to inspire your team with her extraordinary journey of resilience and adventure. Her unique insights into overcoming challenges, coupled with her expertise in diversity and inclusion, will empower your audience to embrace change and drive success in business.

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Trusted by ODEON, IBM, Google

Testimonials

Your insights have certainly inspired the team to challenge the status quo and dig deep within, to achieve what feels like the impossible.

Google

You were a HUGE hit. The sessions have been littered with references to choosing our words, our attitude and extending our comfort zone! So many of the delegates came to find me to tell me how moved and inspired they were by your story and to congratulate me on my choice of external speaker.

ODEON

She scored 5 out of 5 from every one of the 170 delegates. This is unheard of at an IBM event.

IBM

Featured Projects

Debra Searle - Rowing It Alone book cover
Debra Searle - The Journey: How To Achieve Against The Odds book cover
Debra Searle - "LifePilot" podcast cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Debra Searle for my next event?
Email debra.searle@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk 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 Debra's 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.
What is Debra Searle's speaking style like?
Debra Searle structures her sessions around a named framework — the Choose Your Attitude Toolkit — drawn directly from her 111-day solo Atlantic row, using that experience as a case study to deliver practical mindset and resilience strategies applicable to workplace performance.
What topics does Debra Searle specialise in?
Debra Searle MBE's sessions cover unconscious bias and imposter syndrome, resilience and wellbeing strategies, and mindset tools for performance under pressure. She rowed the Atlantic solo over 111 days after her husband was rescued mid-crossing, a feat that underpins her speaking work across more than 1,100 events globally.
What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a speaker booking?

Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

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. Alongside direct talent, 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.

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When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

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Can I book podcast guests through PepTalk?

Yes. PepTalk books commercial podcast guests every week of the year. A high-profile voice can boost your podcast's reach and deliver ideas to your audience at scale. Fees typically start from £1,200 / $1,500, depending on the expert. Our network includes bestselling authors, industry leaders, and cultural figures who have appeared on leading global podcasts — and many host their own. Whether you want bold insights, candid stories, or deep expertise, we'll help you find the right guest to elevate your show.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

No problem! We often handle last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, comedian, awards or event host quickly — almost anywhere in the world. However, speaker availability might be limited as the event date approaches. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.