SES Explorer Series: The Long Walk in Search of the British

David Taylor-Smith MBE is a geographer, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and Founder of the Royal Geographical Society Hong Kong. A former British Army officer who served in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Germany and Namibia, he went on to become a CEO, FTSE 100 board director, and has run businesses in over 70 countries. He now chairs businesses, advises Private Equity companies, and supports various charities.

As an expedition leader for Operation Raleigh, David led teams across Africa and South America. His adventures include walking across Panama twice, completing the first descent of Chile's Rio Simpson from source to sea, helicoptering into an active volcano in Patagonia, and climbing Angel Falls – the world's highest waterfall. He was also kidnapped by Cuban guerrillas during his expedition days.

David is a trustee of the Churchill Fellowship, a member of the Scientific Exploration Society's Advisory Board, a WWF Fellow, and a Council Member for the Royal Dragoon Guards. His long walk raised over £20,000 for RE:ACT's work in Ukraine.

David has walked over 3,400km the length of Britain – from the Scilly Isles to the northern tip of Shetland and across Northern Ireland. He's now circumnavigating the UK's islands (currently on island 86 and counting), driven by a question: what shapes British identity?

In this beautifully illustrated and uplifting talk, David shares stories from his journey that reveal how geology, island geography, environment, history and human influence have forged our collective sense of nationhood. His conclusions are surprising, thought-provoking and thoroughly entertaining!

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Wednesday 18 March 2026

Venue: Venture Room (upstairs), The Park Tower Hotel, 101 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RN

- Drinks in the bar from 6.30pm

- Talk starts at 7pm (followed by Q&A)

SES Explorer Series powered by Optimist Performance.