What drew you to a life of adventure?
The power of human endeavour has driven curious, brave and open-minded people to search the undiscovered world from conquering the four corners to ultimately, stepping on the moon.
Growing up, many of my heroes were some of the great explorers - Shackleton, Amundsen, Chichester, Mallory and Armstrong. What fascinated me most, wasn't simply where they went, but what they discovered about themselves in the process.
I was captivated by their journeys of discovery and have been lucky enough to have dipped my toe into some of them over the last thirty years, seeing first-hand the extraordinary benefits that stepping into the unknown can bring.
What does the power of human endeavour mean to you?
For me, it is about being your best, wanting to discover, to improve, to explore and to walk tall. I think it is fair to say that we all know these are important aspects of our personal development and yet sometimes they are the hardest to begin.
My experience as a soldier, professional sailor, explorer and entrepreneur has taught me that almost everything is possible. All you have to do is believe and get involved. We must never forget that humans are meant to excel and, when one understands how capable we are and how brilliantly adaptive our spirit is, one realises that almost anything is achievable.
How have your adventures changed over the years?
I have been so fortunate to have led and been involved in many amazing trips over the years, from representing Britain in the Whitbread Round-the-World yacht race; to summiting Mount Everest from Tibet along the infamous North Ridge; riding horses across Mongolia; motorbikes through East Africa; and leading several expeditions to the North & South Pole.
Many of my expeditions have focused on raising money and awareness for important causes.
My most recent trip in 2022, however, was a 2,500 kilometre crossing of Antarctica through the interior to the Geographic South Pole, and this was centred on science and research. We were fortunate to collaborate with some of the world's leading organisations, including NASA, the European Space Agency, the Snyder Lab at Stanford University and the Laboratory for Autonomy-Brain Exchange at the University of Central Florida.
The overall objective was twofold: to undertake pioneering research into the environment and human physiology and psychology, while also flying the flag for sustainability.
Can you tell us why Antarctica was the perfect location?
Antarctica is unique for many reasons, but one of them is that once you are on the plateau, at around 10,000 feet, it is almost completely pristine. The Antarctic interior is one of the most remote and least biologically active environments on Earth, making it a remarkable natural laboratory for studying human physiology and psychology.
From an environmental perspective too, the landmass of Antarctica, which is a continent almost twice the size of Australia, is covered by an immense ice cube that contains around 90% of the world's freshwater, making it a vitally important part of the stability and balance of the Earth's ecosystem.
From a climate change perspective this is highly relevant today and the information we gathered on our crossing is proving to be extremely useful to the scientific community.
What was the expedition like?
This was my fifth trip down to the Continent and together with my team-mate Dr Jamie Facer-Childs, our mode of travel was kite-skiing and man-hauling, so we were properly sustainable. Our pulks weighed in at over 220kg at the start as we were totally unsupported. This included 60 days of food, fuel, sleeping bags, cooking and personal equipment, communication and navigational kit, charging panels and batteries, eight Ozone kites, research apparatus, spares, a drone and medical supplies.
After 59 days and a magnificent yet gritty journey, we kited into the South Pole on a very windy day with little visibility. We had been on half rations of food and fuel for two weeks and arrived with no food remaining and barely half a litre of fuel. We were battered, had each lost 8kg in weight, but were utterly elated.
Not only had we achieved our aim of crossing the interior, but we had also completed some phenomenal science along the way with our outstanding research partners.
What has the expedition taught you about sustainability, and how is the scientific research progressing?
One of the most rewarding aspects of the expedition was combining exploration with meaningful scientific research. Working alongside the partners mentioned above, we gathered valuable data on the Antarctic environment and the effects of extreme conditions on human physiology and psychology. The scientific analysis is still ongoing, and I look forward to sharing the findings as they emerge.
What the expedition has already demonstrated is that exploration and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. By travelling 2,500 kilometres unsupported, harnessing wind power through our kites and solar energy for our equipment, we sought to minimise our environmental footprint while conducting important research.
For me, sustainability is ultimately about curiosity, innovation and finding better ways of doing things.
That philosophy also underpins my work as a Partner at JORO, a certified B Corp where responsible travel and sustainability are central to everything we do. We believe that extraordinary travel should not only inspire those who experience it, but also make a positive contribution to the places and communities we visit. Whether in exploration or business, we all have a responsibility to protect our remarkable planet for future generations.
Can you draw comparisons between your time on the MBA and your adventures?
At first glance, Antarctica may seem about as far removed from a business school and the MBA programme as it is possible to imagine, yet the principles that carried us safely across the ice in 2022 are exactly the same.
Whether in exploration or business, success invariably comes down to the same fundamental building blocks: teamwork, diligent preparation, unwavering motivation and clear communication. When combined with care, insight and balance, they become the difference between success and failure.
And finally, what is your advice for current students and alumni?
There is a lot of unrest and uncertainty around the globe currently, but I feel positive about the future as there is so much to go and get stuck into. So shake off any doubt you may have, ignite your deepest dreams and aspirations, and go and experience the wonder of this magnificent world first-hand.
Justin Packshaw MBE DL (MBA 1993) is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and adventurer. He is the Chairman of the travel company JORO and the co-founder and a director of the British luxury brand, De Roemer.