Franck Gazzola

Franck is an explorer, photographer and filmmaker, and he tackles some of the most critical corporate topics like change management, teamwork, innovation, risk management, personal growth and resilience, whilst taking the audience on a journey through incredible imagery and stories. Franck will take you on an incredible adventure from his life in a corporate suit to his life in a wetsuit under the pole. Franck has explored under the polar ice, lived for 4 days and 3 nights on the bottom of the Pacific Ocean in a tiny underwater habitat, sailed the Northwest passage in the Arctic in a small expedition schooner and documented our fast-changing environment and its impact with some of the world’s most renowned scientists in very remote locations. His work is focusing on documenting the modern explorers, scientists and change-makers who dedicate their life to address the pressing issues of conservation and environmental protection. Get ready to be blown away by the incredible insight of internationally renowned Adventure & Documentary Photographer Franck Gazzola. This presentation is visually stunning and captivating. Opportunistic mind, curiosity, hard work, passion, and determination have all contributed to shape his life. But Franck will tell you, he is no super-hero, he is an ordinary guy who does extraordinary things. He is very relatable. Franck won’t preach to you, he won’t lay out the rules, he’ll just give you an honest view of how he achieved his dream life, how he broke the shackles to show that change is possible and that we are capable of so much more than we think. Change Management – The Truth About Change Synopsis: Change doesn’t demand giant leaps. It starts with a decision to act, and continues through small, consistent steps. Franck introduces the DARE method (Dare > Achieve > Review > Expand) to demystify change as a manageable, repeatable process. He highlights how confidence fuels progress, but ego can stall it, and why embracing being a beginner again is key to long-term adaptability. Key Takeaways: Break change into small, achievable actions to build momentum. Develop adaptability through repetition and reflection. Understand the role of ego in resisting change. Reframe change as a tool for growth, not disruption. Use regret as a decision-making tool to encourage action. Risk Management – Navigate Risk Without Losing Momentum Synopsis: From underwater expeditions to corporate boardrooms, risk is part of everyday decision-making. Franck shares lessons from high-risk environments to help teams make confident decisions, even under pressure. He shows how to shift focus from risk elimination to smart risk navigation through process, preparation and communication. Key Takeaways: Risk management is about flexibility, not certainty. Train for scenarios where the plan will change. Build trust between risk-takers and decision-makers. Recognise when procedures serve you, and when to adapt. Create a risk culture where awareness replaces avoidance. Teamwork – Perform Together or Fall Apart Synopsis: Living in confined spaces under extreme conditions brings out the best and worst in teams. Franck draws on his experience leading remote expeditions to show how trust, communication and mindset can make or break performance. In the corporate world, the same principles apply; high-performing teams are built, not found. Key Takeaways: Integrate quickly and effectively into high-performing teams. Understand the four purposes of teams: performance, safety, growth and engagement. Prioritise mindset and values over technical skills in recruitment. Promote help-seeking behaviour as a strength, not a weakness. Build a culture of ownership to drive loyalty and accountability. Adaptability & Resilience – Build the Capacity to Thrive Synopsis: Adaptability helps us respond to what’s next. Resilience helps us endure it. Franck explains how these two traits develop not through crisis, but through conscious practice. He provides a clear framework to help individuals and teams train for uncertainty, making them more responsive, agile and capable of sustained achievement. Key Takeaways: Differentiate between short-term adaptability and long-term resilience. Learn to respond to change without compromising direction. Train for resilience before adversity strikes. Embrace small, non-critical changes to build future capacity. Innovation – Make Progress Without Reinventing Everything Synopsis: Innovation isn’t always about starting from scratch. It’s about solving problems in smarter ways. Franck shares real-world expedition examples to show how combining existing tools, methods and collaborations leads to meaningful innovation. He positions innovation as a shared responsibility across the organisation, not a job title or a department. Key Takeaways: Reframe innovation as improvement, not invention. Encourage collaboration across teams to unlock new thinking. Build a culture where experimentation is safe and supported. Empower all staff to contribute to innovation, not just specialists. Focus on outcomes, not novelty. Environment & Climate Change – Lessons from the Ocean Floor Synopsis: From coral collapse to plastic pollution, Franck Gazzola has seen the effects of climate change up close. But through these challenges, he’s also found hope in nature’s resilience and human action. This keynote offers a powerful visual account of environmental change, paired with practical insights to help organisations turn awareness into meaningful action. Key Takeaways: First-hand insight into climate impacts from remote marine expeditions. Why action, not awareness, drives progress. How to make sustainability a practical part of your business. A balanced message of urgency and optimism to inspire change. Inspiration – Dare to Begin Synopsis: Franck’s story isn’t about being fearless. It’s about daring with doubt, and pushing forward regardless. This keynote strips away the clichés of extreme adventuring to reveal something more powerful: a relatable journey marked by vulnerability, missteps and growth. Audiences leave not only inspired, but practically motivated to take their own next step. Key Takeaways: Why courage isn’t about confidence, it’s about action. The value of vulnerability in leadership and performance. How to reframe fear as a signal, not a stop sign. Tools to take decisive action under pressure. A mindset for daring more, comparing less, and progressing anyway.