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!
@richardparks