Adrian Webster

• Motivational speaker
• Bestselling business author
• Creator of the phenomenon - Polar Bear Pirates.

Riot policeman, milkman and salesman were just a few of the many entries on Adrian's CV before he moved into the I.T industry and discovered an ability to motivate and inspire others.

The son of a Yorkshire coalminer, Adrian has quickly established himself as one of the most popular motivational speakers in Europe today.   

 He is now a bestselling business author with his first book 'Polar Bear Pirates And Their Quest To Reach Fat City' being successfully sold worldwide.  

 Brilliantly inspiring, hilariously funny and easy to relate to, Adrian cuts through complex motivational psychobabble, making it fun, relevant and useful. People come away from Adrian's presentations feeling inches taller, knowing how to make a difference and with very large grins on their faces!

 Born in the workplace, out of necessity to inspire others on shoestring budgets, his unique world of motivational terminology is today helping to inspire ordinary people from a vast array of organisations around the world to be extra-ordinary.

Adrian's Topics

• Thriving In Tough Times
• Creating Winning Environments
• Everyday People - Together Making A Difference
• Inspirational Leadership - Getting The Very Best Out Of People
• Customer Service - Putting Customers At The Heart Of Everything We Do
• Team Building - Pulling Together As One Big Team
• Self Motivation - DIY Belief - Being The Best
• Engaging And Retaining People On Shoestring Budgets
• Behavioural Change - Embracing Change
• Winning The Sales Game And Maintaining An Edge Over The Competition
• Communication - Effective SONAR Communicators

Further info

Adrian is probably the most entertaining and effective motivational speaker in Europe today. He specialises in delivering key messages on behalf of clients in a humorous and completely unique, down to earth style that audiences can easily relate to.

His addictively inspirational presentations help people at all levels and from diverse backgrounds to make a very real difference in their workplace.

Drawing on his vast amount of practical experience as a motivator and team builder he brings to life a whole new world of fun motivational terminology and characters that everyone can instantly identify with, take away and put to good use - a world not a million miles away where TNTs rule and Neg Ferrets, BLOATERS and Sinkers reside...all of whom you will no doubt instantly recognise!

The son of a Yorkshire coal miner, Adrian started off his colourful career as a Police Officer in St Pauls, Bristol. He left shortly after the St Paul's riots to go 'back to school' and ended up becoming President of Southampton Students Drama.

Fed up with being a poor student, he spent the next four years building up a dairy company by knocking on thousands of doors and persuading households and local shops to buy his milk. Having established the dairy business he worked as, amongst many other things, a radio presenter on local radio in Bristol.

To help 'fund' his career, Adrian started selling a wide range of products, ranging from frozen food to houses. He quickly discovered he could make some real money in sales and began to take selling seriously, the part time sales side soon took over as his full time career.  

In 1987 he moved into I.T sales and by 1989 he had established himself as one of the most successful sales professionals in the industry.

After two highly successful years as Corporate Sales Manager of US Robotics, he joined Northamber Plc an I.T Distributor as Group Sales and Training Manager responsible for recruiting, training, motivating and 'driving' 150 staff to achieve phenomenal success on shoestring budgets.

It was during this time, out of pure necessity to inspire and retain staff that the world of Polar Bear Pirates was born and Adrian discovered an ability to turn teams of everyday people with little or no ability into some of the most productive in the I.T industry.

Fuelled by a desire to try to gain a better understanding of what really makes exceptional people tick he set about researching some of the world's most successful people. These six years of research along with his real-life experiences, raw energy and sense of humour combine to create a thrilling roller coaster style that is completely original, hilariously funny and brilliantly effective.

Adrian is now a best selling business author with his first book 'Polar Bear Pirates and their quest to reach Fat City' being successfully sold worldwide.

Testimonials:

WOW! A fabulous guest speaker at one of our regional events covering over 500 employees from across our retail, premier and financial planning business. From Senior Managers to cashiers Adrian's enthusiastic, energising, sincere delivery made them laugh, engaged them and inspired them to cast off the never ending stories of gloom and doom we see every day right now and, think about what they can do to be superstars in their chosen career.

The feedback I have had from those that attended has been extraordinary - in fact the very best I have had, having run a number of similar events over the last 7 years.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Adrian Webster if you need a speaker to light up the room with passion, energy, pace and a great sense of humour. Leon Marklew - Regional PFS Director - HSBC - West Midlands Region        

To put it mildly, Adrian went down a storm. One of the questions on our feedback form was: "In terms of content, were there any areas which you felt were particularly useful?" A fair proportion of them simply said: "The motivational speaker."

Bouquets included: "Adrian Webster was a superb speaker and particularly useful"; (the motivational speaker) "highlighted the importance of motivation in everyday situations and brought out the important points which are often forgotten"; "I found Adrian Webster's presentation useful, entertaining and lively"; "Adrian Webster was amazing - so refreshing - going to buy the book!"

 An excellent choice on the Home Office's part - and fully justified in my opinion!  Phil Wilcox - Direct Communications Unit - Home Office

We have had extremely positive feedback, you were very inspiring. One participant said she walked away from the programme a changed person!  Mandy Mayor - Manager- Leadership Development - KPMG LLP

Adrian recently attended the Amtico International Joint Sales Conference. We didn't really know what to expect as he was previously unknown to us, yet, it's highly unlikely, we'll ever forget him!!

His pre-dinner speech was both inspirational and humorous, the content of which was communicated in such a unique style, those attending, were left with powerful messages they could both relate to and act upon.

Adrian definitely exceeded our expectations. He's passionate about people, motivational and extremely entertaining.   

We would not hesitate to welcome him back either as a guest speaker at a similar event, or, if the opportunity arose, utilise his expertise in a more formal, Sales Training programme, thus allowing a wider Amtico audience to benefit from his wealth of experience and drive.  Simon Mills - UK Residential Sales Director - Amtico International

Adrian, you were brilliant!

What a pleasant surprise and I am very grateful for you coming along and setting us up so well for what turned out to be a great day

You also passed the test of making an impact as throughout the day references were made to what you said and that was very pleasing, I would definitely recommend you to others!

I have also just ran a mini-competition for the 5 copies of your book and they are now in the hands of enthusiastic readers - others who weren't successful said they would get their own copies.  Steve Robinson - Regional Director, Capita Symonds

This is a very belated Thank You for the excellent motivation session you gave at the closing event of the Unscheduled Care Collaborative Programme. We have now had all the evaluation forms back and collated and wanted to pass on a few of the many comments on how enjoyable, entertaining and of course motivational the delegates found the hour spent with you.

It was really great to meet you and am grateful for your input to making the day a great success. Thanks too for your book which I have really enjoyed and am now well on my way to being a Sonar Communicator! Excellent fun!  Helen Maitland - NHS SCOTLAND

 I wanted to thank you for 'what you did for us' last week. I was going to use the words 'presentation or speech or talk' but they really don't do it justice. 

You gave us an absolutely fabulous end to the day and if the feedback from the evening is anything to go by the team were totally captivated and inspired by what you did and said - so much so that we all ended up building snowmen after dinner!! Kids in an adult world!!

I have put a few words together which I hope you will be able to use as testimonial:

"Adrian showed us he has an innate ability to captivate his audience. He was able to take us on an 'emotional'  roller coaster ride, using energy, humour and insights drawn from personal experience he was a true inspiration to the team - absolutely fabulous!"

Wishing you a continued and speedy journey to Fat City! Thanks once again

Neil Clutterbuck -  Director, Engineering Markets Allianz Engineering

Would you please pass on our thanks and appreciation to Adrian for his session at our Management Team event last week.  He was a huge success.  Without exception all of the managers approached us following his presentation to congratulate us on finding a truly inspirational and very entertaining speaker. 

Adrian's talk instilled the motivation, desire and drive to go out and really push the boundaries.  They are still buzzing about it today.

Karen Bailey - Learning & Development Manager - Wessex Water

 THANKS!  On behalf of me and Andrew, a big thank you for helping to make our management conference a huge success.

We have had some terrific feedback on your slot which is well earned from our "conservative" teams!

Dyan Crowther - Network Rail - Route Director, London North Eastern

Hi Adrian,

It was great to meet you last week. The whole event went extremely well and all the presenters were very well received. I hope you enjoyed talking to some of our Top Talent Professional's in the evening, I know there were lots of people that were keen to talk to you!

A selection of comments below:

I really enjoyed the session from Adrian Webster he was such a character and I was just blown away by his approach & methodology - he is absolutely right about FUN being key - and it's something I certainly try to do and something more of us could benefit from adopting.

The motivational speaker was fantastic

Clearly, ending the event with such a fantastic motivational speaker was a master stroke. Adrian lifted the whole room and what I particularly liked was although comical, much of what he said was extremely well observed and of value in real world situations.

Adrian Webster was a highlight of the day and kept me on the edge of my seat and thoroughly entertained, whilst also managing to put across several key messages on being a motivational leader.

Excellent choice of guest speakers, Adrian was brilliant, think I was more tired than he was by the time he stopped !!

Motivational speaker (Adrian Webster) was excellent, found myself recalling amusing comments the following day - shame we could not have video recorded his pitch!!...well worth another watch

The motivational speaker Adrian Webster was incredible and gave me a lot to think about.

Motivational Speaker - as pointed out on the day, good to hear from someone who isn't  walking pole-to-pole or walking on the moon, but just being "normal" in extraordinary ways  Cathy MacPherson Workplace Transformation Project Lead - Global Technology Services IBM

Adrian did a tremendous job at the conference and his contribution was very well received.The intention of the day was to motivate and inspire the staff and he certainly did that!! Nesta Williams - Shropshire County Primary Care Trust

Many thanks for your time last week - I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet you personally and to listen to your presentation. All of the attendees were completely animated throughout the day, and it was an excellent launch for our management meeting that followed. And, there is still a good deal of energy today...

 Your presentation, so representative of real life, was incredibly uplifting, poignant, humbling and hilarious - we all felt at least 6 inches taller, and the management team was left with the sense that whatever the challenges ahead, we could not be defeated. Melvin Robson - Hospital Director - Spire Southampton Hospital

 Everyone is still talking about your sessions at EEDA and one person who couldn't attend the all staff sessions said:

"I have never seen some many people with a 'buzz' about them".

Feedback from the senior management team was equally as positive.

Thanks again.  Judy Lambert- Learning and Development Manager - East of England Development Agency

I just wanted to thank you for your talk last Wednesday afternoon.  I really enjoyed it and I have received excellent feedback from everyone I have spoken to.  I could tell by the buzz in the Reception that people had really enjoyed the afternoon, and especially your performance - lots of smiles on
faces and complimentary comments - people found it both funny and inspiring. The next day in the office, we kept noticing TNTs!

Many people have said that it is the best Sales Event they have been to in many years and this is in large part down to you. Thanks again for a great presentation, Liz Marley - Senior Commercial Manager - Service Provider ntl:Telewest Business

Just a quick note of thanks to Adrian for the truly inspirational session he delivered at the SDI conference in Brighton earlier this week. Amazing.

Debra Curtis - Head of Customer Service & Quality - Wirral Council

 Adrian took control of the meeting, set the tone and expectations of the delegates to create a lively fun atmosphere.  Adrian took on board Telstra International's themes and messages by cleverly weaving them in to his 'performance'.  Adrian is clearly a business-savvy presenter, a great public speaker able to make the audience laugh and provoke deep food for thought.  Tony Martin, Marketing Director, Telstra International, EMEA

 Adrian Webster was a great success at our Conference. The feedback I have received has been excellent and it ranges from"fantastic" to "outstanding speaker" and "can he please be invited back again". Adrian hit just the right note and I think everyone went away from the conference on a high.  He helped to make the day a real success and our most successful ever supported housing conference.  Jo McTavish - Assistant Director Care & Support - Hyde Housing Association

Adrian, I would just like to say that after seeing you at the HDI conference as a conference speaker in April, I had thought that seeing you for a second time at the Anchor Dinner that I would switch off, but NO... for a second time, you had me busting my sides with laughter. The way that you can take an audience from tears of laughter and within seconds can you turn the audience to more somber subjects is an amazing skill you possess. I was impressed with the way that you had tailored your material to suit the audience. Your animated antics for each of the characters were so good that I think that you should hit the comedy circuits. Both your talks have inspired me to look at myself, as I thought I had reached my potential, but now realise there is more. I am passing the book around my team as well. Your talks are motivational with a difference. 

I hope that I will see you again one day at some of the many conferences that I attend.  If you would like to use my name on any referrals list you may keep then please do so. Wendy Fickling - IS Internal Services Manager - Anchor Trust (Newcastle)

 I just wanted to tell you that I've run many of these events in the past, and often after a heavy night and the prospect of a half day and an early finish, delegates are often keen to get away.  But yesterday most people were milling about for ages wanting to talk more about the conference and to share ideas on what they were going to motivate staff back in the office. Many thanks for your energy, passion and helping make our event a success.

Tom Dennehy - Royal & Sun Alliance

  As the guest speaker on the first day of our Sales Conference, Adrian Webster was amusing, high-energy and above all relevant. His entertaining delivery engaged all members of the audience and ensured delegates left the conference room feeling motivated and energised.  Kate Campbell - City And Guilds

There's no doubting Adrian's ability to motivate individuals and teams. His world of Polar Bear Pirates resonated with every one of the Senior Managers who had the benefit of spending time in Adrian's presence. He filled the room with passion, emotion and energy and succeeded every time to inspire the leaders of our business to go back and make a difference - and the tangible results of that difference are already being seen. On top of all that, Adrian's a great bloke too. It's been a pleasure doing business with him - I sure it won't be that last time we do.  Dave Barry - Senior Delivery Team Manager - HSBC Learning & Development

Perfect! Everyone was really motivated.  Jackie Wilson - Thresher Group

Taylor Woodrow Plc
Adrian Webster was highly recommended to us as a brilliant speaker. We were very unsure of using him because we'd never heard of him. We went ahead and used him...he was an absolute star.

AXA PPP
Adrian really is one of the best keynote speakers I have ever heard. He manages to captivate every type of audience right from the moment he starts and always leaves them wanting more. Adrian has a unique ability to have his audience rolling around in laughter one minute to suddenly getting them to hang on to his every word where a pin drop could be heard.  The messages Adrian shares will stay with you for life as they are fundamental, full of common sense and yet really make the difference when it comes to bringing out the best in others.

Lever Faberge
The brief for a "motivational speaker" was more than fulfilled as Adrian's energy, humour and superb insight into the real world of sales had everybody mesmerised and entertained from the moment he walked onto the stage. Life hasn't been quite the same since as we all now aspire to permanently
residing in Fat City and living as Polar Bear Pirates!

Siemens
You had me listening to every word and taking in every word you spoke.

Yell Group
Adrian came along to our annual National Telesales Managers Conference last Friday, and I am delighted to report that he went down a storm.

Chair Women In Business Association

I was really blown away by Adrian - what a great guy - like a younger Rick Stein but with a passion for people rather than food!!

BT PLC
Adrian was fantastic! A style which I have never seen used so effectively. He had us in hoots but could change within minutes to deliver a very serious message with such feeling and power. Without a doubt the guy had everyone in the room hanging on every word for the full speech. Added to that, he was such enjoyable company.

South West London Health Authority
I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you again for your excellent presentation at the radiography event on Monday. We have taken a quick peek at the delegates' evaluation forms and there are just far too many positive comments for me to forward on.

IBM
Adrian exceeded our expectations. The overall consensus is that Adrian came across as a breath of fresh air and it was totally different to any other speech delivered to an IBM audience. I have never attended a meeting at IBM before where people have laughed so much. He definitely made a big impact at IBM and we would welcome him back tomorrow if we had the chance. The only complaints we have had are from people who were unable to see him in action.

Nationwide Building Society
What really impressed me about Adrian's presentation was that there were key messages that everyone could take away about how they as individuals could make a difference in their world, irrespective of where they were in our structure.

St James Group
Adrian was absolutely fantastic last Friday at our Seminar.  It's not easy to win the hearts and minds of a room full of people in the building industry.  Many come having already decided they would rather be somewhere else, or that this sort of thing is for office staff only, etc., but Adrian won them over hook, line and sinker! He talks in a language that everybody can relate to. Adrian is highly entertaining but much more, he has the ability to make you think.

Bodylife UK Ltd
We have worked with many of the country's leading keynote speakers over the years and they have all been good, but in many ways Adrian surpassed them all.

KPMG
Adrian's speech really lifted the day: it created impact, raised energy levels materially, while giving our team much of value to reflect on. Everyone left at the end of the day in an upbeat and positive "can do" frame of mind.

Brook Street
We booked Adrian Webster although we had only seen the video clip of his performance and possible content. He was an excellent speaker. His enthusiasm and wit were a breath of fresh air and his inspirational and poignant messages made a huge impact. Thoroughly entertaining and thought provoking, Adrian left a lasting impression with our 600 strong audience with his powerful messages that could be related to our workplace.

SSL International
Stunning, funny, interesting and relevant. I cannot say much more.

McCarthy & Stone
Adrian listened to our requirements , understood our remit and delivered an impeccable presentation. The audience were spell - bound and would have listened all day. Fantastic!

David Lloyd Leisure
On feedback from 200 conference delegates, Adrian averaged a score of 5 (on a 1 - 5 scale of poor to excellent). The feedback was phenomenal, not one negative comment.

Thomas Sanderson
There is so much good stuff to take on board. I remember having tears in my eyes three years ago when you first talked to Thomas Sanderson and this time it was a case of even more tears.

Richmond Events
What a performer! Adrian provided the closing keynote presentation onboard the recent IT Director's Forum.  His boundless energy and powerful use of humour and emotion kept the audience highly entertained and wanting more. I would thoroughly recommend Adrian Webster to anyone looking for a truly motivational speaker.

Parcelnet
Adrian was a major hit at the Conference. Everybody was so buoyed up by the speech and full of motivation and vigour - just as I had hoped.

Prime Business Solutrions
Adrian really brought some life and thought inspiring moments to our day and more importantly had us all in stitches.

Office Friendly Dealer Association
A brilliant presentation which had all of us engaging every emotion. Last year Kris Akabusi was our 'motivational' speaker and we didn't believe we could top an Olympic Gold medal winner. Well, we don't believe that now. You're an Olympic Champion in your chosen profession.

Travel & Personal Underwriters Ltd
Arian Webster really was just fantastic. Although I had booked Adrian and, as such, had done my homework and even read his book, I really had no idea that he would actually be as side-splittingly funny as he was.  I now realise that when you book Adrian you get a top notch comedian and a motivational speaker for the price of one! His energy and enthusiasm for his subject were utterly infectious (you get out of breath just watching him!) and his ability to have his audience choking on the brink of tears one second and then crying with laughter the next must surely be second to none.

.East Sussex CC
"Adrian's speech was superb, and just what I needed!"

Danwood Group
Thank you, you were awesome! The guys are still talking about you! The impact was pitched at the right level and was perfect.

Network Rail
We have had some terrific feedback on your slot which is well earned from our "conservative" teams!

The Diamond Trading Company
You energy, enthusiasm and humour were infectious -- it was evident so many people were inspired by what you said. 

Anchor Trust
I would just like to say that after seeing you at the HDi conference as a conference speaker in April, I had though that seeing you for a second time at the Anchor Dinner that I would switch off, but NO... for a second time, you had me busting my sides with laughter.  The way that you can take an audience from tears of laughter and within seconds can you turn the audience to more sombre subjects is an amazing skill you possess.

Jardine Lloyd Thompson
I have never seen my sales team so speechless and enthusiastic about using some of the thoughts and ideas you gave to the team during your presentation.

Tellabs UK Ltd
What a phenomenal... lasting impact! Adrian spoke at our EMEA conference in Malta just over three months ago. The effect of his speech has been quite remarkable, our people are still talking about it today

Car Care Plan
Adrian was one of the best keynote speakers we have had in our 28- year history.

Allan Bignell - Conference Producer
Adrian is the greatest on message deliverer that I've ever had the privilege to witness. Through twenty years of producing corporate live events I have never seen such an extraordinarily electric effect on an audience as I did during Adrian's keynote speech. Adrian has taken the subject of motivation and stripped it of its clichés and psycho -babble and placed it in the tough world that people live and work in today. Aching ribs and tear stained note pads were the order of the day.

Courts (UK) Ltd
He gave a superb performance, which exceeded all our expectations. In a matter of minutes Adrian managed to achieve the aim of our sales conference - to motivate and energise our managers into action.

Xplor UK
The first day started with an excellent motivation speech from Adrian Webster. When it came time to thank him I was lost for words - a rare occasion I hear you mutter. He was simply brilliant.  

HSBC Invoice Finance
Adrian understood our requirements perfectly and delivered - the feedback received has been fantastic - Monday morning and we have a group of people fired up with enthusiasm.

Business Link Wessex
Thank you for making our event so successful - we had some really good feedback, and our clients all went away with happy faces! Everyone found something to relate to in Adrian's talk whether from a work or home situation. Thanks once again for a great performance, I also wish I had half Adrian's energy!!

Lorri Delahunty - Conference Producer
Adrian is the most wonderfully original presenter/motivator/enter-trainer I have ever encountered.

Manchester Chamber Business Enterprises
I would like to thank Adrian for such an entertaining and informative performance. Every evaluation survey returned has marked Adrian as Excellent... the best of any speaker we have had previously.

Anglia Cooperative Society
I've been lucky enough to see a lot of motivational speakers over the years, but Adrian must be up there with the best. It's rare for a speaker to be able to take you from 'belly aching laughter' to 'shivers up the spine' within such a short period of time. A rare skill.

Compass Group
Your talk last week was superb and absolutely hit the mark.  You picked up on all the key points of the conference, you obviously listened to and read the briefing notes and all I can say is you were a superstar.

Hyde Group
The feedback I have received has been excellent and it ranges from "fantastic" to "outstanding speaker" and "can he please be invited back again".

Thomas Sanderson
Thank you for a hilarious and fun packed hour at our National Sales Meeting in Warwick. There were moments when I literally had tears streaming down my face. The feedback from the guys was "that was as good as it gets".

Jardine Lloyd Thompson
I have never seen my sales team so speechless and enthusiastic about using some of the thoughts and ideas you gave to the team during your presentation.

British Association of Removers
Adrian was excellent and it has been said that he is the best speaker we have ever had at a BAR conference.

Simon Edwardes - Conference Producer
The biggest compliment I can pay is that even 'off - duty' technicians were transfixed, which certainly doesn't happen too often.