020 8914 8966
020 8914 8966
That was a really inspirational talk this afternoon, it’s definitely made me think more about my attitude towards life and helped put things into perspective. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us and all the best with your future adventures.
BlackRock
Miles Hilton-Barber – Flew Across Half the World in 55 Days
Miles Hilton-Barber is recognised worldwide as the most accomplished blind adventurer, celebrated for pushing the limits of human potential. After losing his sight to Retinitis Pigmentosa, he refused to let blindness define his life. He went on to complete extraordinary feats, from flying a microlight from London to Sydney to setting a world record as the first blind man to break the sound barrier. He has climbed mountains, raced across deserts and polar ice, and dived in some of the world’s most extreme environments. Today, Miles inspires global audiences as a leading motivational speaker and humanitarian.
Credentials and Impact
Miles’s journey of impact began after he lost his sight to Retinitis Pigmentosa in his early twenties. For years, he struggled to adjust, but at the age of 50, he made a life-changing decision to transform adversity into opportunity. From that moment, he embarked on a series of record-breaking adventures that would redefine what was possible for a blind person. Among his most celebrated feats, Miles became the first blind pilot to fly from London to Sydney in a microlight aircraft, covering nearly 21,000 kilometres in 55 days to raise funds for Seeing is Believing. He has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, competed in the Sahara Desert Ultra Marathon, sledged across the Arctic, driven Formula One racing cars, and dived on shipwrecks in the Red Sea. He also set a world record as the first blind man to break the sound barrier, reaching over 1,000 miles per hour in a jet fighter.
In recognition of his achievements and humanitarian efforts, Miles was appointed as an ambassador for Seeing is Believing and ORBIS International, both dedicated to preventing blindness and restoring sight across developing nations. Over the years, he has also served on advisory and leadership boards for organisations promoting inclusion, accessibility, and mental resilience.
Miles’s commitment to service has earned him multiple awards, including honours from Rotary International, the Lions Club, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Today, he continues to use his platform to raise funds for blindness-related causes and to inspire individuals worldwide to overcome life’s barriers with courage and purpose.
Publications and Media
Miles’s remarkable story has been profiled by major outlets, including the BBC’s In Touch and Outlook, CNN’s Human Factor, and National Geographic Adventure. He has been featured in The Guardian and The Telegraph, sharing insights on blindness and resilience. Miles has contributed motivational essays to corporate journals and leadership magazines and is currently authoring his autobiography, Living Without Limits, documenting his record-breaking adventures and personal transformation.
Why Book Miles?
Booking Miles guarantees an unforgettable, life-affirming experience that resonates with audiences of every background. His talks combine thrilling accounts of record-breaking adventures with powerful lessons on courage, mindset, and the importance of embracing change. Miles speaks with warmth and humour, using his blindness not as a limitation but as a lens through which to explore leadership, resilience, and the human spirit.
He has delivered keynote speeches at global conferences, corporate summits, and educational institutions, inspiring organisations such as Shell, IBM, and HSBC to challenge perceptions of what is possible. His TEDxWarwick talk, ‘A Blind Adventurer’s Outlook on Life‘, has received standing ovations for its authenticity and insight into overcoming adversity.
By booking Miles, event organisers secure more than an inspirational speaker; they bring in a world-class storyteller whose real-life experiences motivate audiences to confront challenges head-on, push boundaries, and live with renewed purpose and confidence.
To book Miles to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry.
