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World-renowned explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell talks about his life and career in conversation with writer and journalist Paul Blezard.

The then Captain Blashford-Snell was selected in 1968 to lead a 60-strong expedition down the Blue Nile at the invitation of Emperor Haile Selassie. The success of that expedition led Blashford-Snell to organise and lead more than 100 expeditions across the world, including the first vehicle crossing of the complete Darien Gap in 1971/2 and navigating almost all the 2,700 miles of the great Zaire (now Congo) River in 1974/5. His innovative method of tackling white water in an inflatable boat has become a sport, and he has been instrumental in the founding of many organisations including the Scientific Exploration Society and Operation Raleigh.

Blashford-Snell is author of an autobiography, Something Lost behind the Ranges, and many other books including In the Steps of Stanley and A Taste for Adventure.

This event is part of a festival series on leadership sponsored by HSBC.