Speakers

James Willcox is the Founder of the adventure travel company Untamed Borders. He launched in the company in 2007, running bespoke trips and small group adventures to some of the world's most interesting and inaccessible places - such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia and many other countries across the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa and the Caucasus.

Along with the many group tours annually and 100s of private trips each year, James also organised the first ever international ski trips to Afghanistan in 2011 and played an important role in the development of skiing in Iraq. James also co-founded the Marathon of Afghanistan, along with the first ever Somaliland Marathon. In 2013 James received a letter of commendation from the Afghan Government for his work in the country and sits on the board of Free To Run - an organisation that supports women and girls in areas of conflict through adventure sports, to improve their physical, emotional and social well-being.

James also helped plan a trip and organised a guide to the legendary Michel Palin for his recent series Into Iraq. Along with these big group projects, James has also organised many fascinating bespoke private projects - including the first ever cycle crossing of the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia, the first kayaking trip to Afghanistan, the first ski descent of Iraq's tallest mountain, helping a scuba diver break the world record for the most countries dived in (in Libya, Somalia, Afghanistan & Tajikistan) and many other private adventures.