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Richard Parks

Television Presenter and Filmmaker

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About

Richard has skied more solo, unsupported, and unassisted miles in Antarctica than anyone

else in history and has completed more solo, unsupported, and unassisted journeys from the

coast of Antarctica to the South Pole than anyone too.

Born in Pontypridd, Wales to a Welsh father and Jamaican mother, Richard is proud to be the

first person of colour to cross Antarctica from the coast to pole solo.

Richard has history with world record attempts. He is the first person to climb the highest

mountain on each of the seven continents and stand on the North and South pole in the same

calendar year however, on separate project, Richard and his team averted fatality making a

difficult decision to abandon an ascent of Everest without supplementary oxygen.

Going fast and exploring our planet is a privilege. Richard has always believed that his

expeditions must achieve a societal goal and empower others to create a kinship with nature:

From pioneering medical research and cutting-edge product development to ground-breaking

applied student learning, Richard and his team are committed to continue evolving our

relationship with the planet and performance. In his book, Beyond The Horizon, he

courageously spoke of the mental health impact when a shoulder injury ended his

professional rugby career. Learning to climb was Richard’s salvation. Since those darkest of

times, Richard uses adventure, film making and writing to inspire and empower others to

redefine their potential.

Richard is a former Welsh international rugby player, award-winning author, multiple BAFTA

Cymru nominated television presenter and filmmaker. He is the co-founder of Cynefin Films

and has been identified as one of Britain’s most promising leaders in his selection for the

inaugural Franco-British Young Leaders Programme pioneered by the British and French

governments.

Richard’s recent film projects have been one-hour documentary films ‘Can I be Welsh and

Black?’ courageously exploring race and national identity in Wales, which was nominated for

a 2021 BAFTA Cymru Award, and ‘Climbing out of lockdown’ investigating the mental health

impact of Covid, both commissioned for ITV Cymru Wales. As a Cymraeg - Welsh language

speaker, he recently made ‘Iaith ar Daith’ for S4C. In December 2022 he returned to Antarctica

to film a big multi-series for a streaming platform, but which is currently embargoed until

release in 2024.

He is a devoted dad, husband, son, and self-confessed denim addict! Outside of work and not

flying his Welsh flag in the furthest corners of our planet, you’ll find him teaching, chasing

sunrises in Wales, renovating his family home, cooking, practicing his Welsh language skills or

building Lego with his son!

www.richardparks.co.uk

@richardparks

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