MONTY HALLS Marine Biologist, Explorer And Broadcaster
A former Royal Marines officer who worked for Nelson Mandela during the peace process in the early nineties, Monty Halls is an explorer who left the forces to pursue a career in expeditions, travel journalism, and marine biology.
Monty has since led teams in some of the most challenging environments on earth, presented numerous multi-award winning documentaries, launched his own production company, and become a renowned inspirational speaker and writer. He has also developed a one-of-a-kind leadership and team building system for the professional and education sectors.
Monty is a Land Rover global ambassador, president of the Galapagos Conservation Trust, and a Help For Heroes patron. In 2003, he was awarded the Bish Medal by the Scientific Exploration Society for services to exploration and, in 2010, an honorary Doctor of Science degree by Plymouth University.
Growing up on a Mediterranean island began what has been a lifelong love affair with all things marine, and inspired him to seek adventure in, on, and by the water. A marine biologist, explorer, documentary broadcaster, and president and patron of numerous conservation organisations, Monty’s love and knowledge of the ocean spans his personal, academic, and professional life. He has most recently received an Outstanding Contribution to Diving award from Sport Diver Magazine for bringing the sport of diving and the beauty of the underwater world to millions of people, through his writing and television programmes.
Over the last decade, Monty’s real passion has become leadership and team building, drawing on his vast experience to run courses for various clients throughout the UK.
Inspired by his young family, and with issues like school budget cuts, mental health, and social mobility dominating the media, Monty developed Leaderbox – a single system that makes leadership and team building training available to ALL. Monty is best known for his three BBC2 Great Escapes series, where he lived on the west coasts of Scotland and Ireland with his dog Reuben. He also presented the multi-award winning series Great Barrier Reef, the ground-breaking expedition series Lost Worlds for the Discovery Channel, and Monty Halls’ Dive Mysteries for Channel 5 .
Monty then filmed a series for Channel 4, WWII’s Great Escapes, which saw him travel throughout Europe on a historical journey filled with survival, escape and adventure. Following on from this, Monty filmed his second Channel 4 series, My Family and The Galapagos, which came out in 2018 and featured the whole Halls family!
Monty has written ten books about his adventures, and regularly writes for national newspapers, magazines, and websites. He has also established a reputation as one of the most entertaining, charismatic, and thought-provoking speakers on the circuit, whether at intimate dinners, national conferences, or on the global stage.
CREDITS
TV:
My Family and the Galapagos, S2, 2020, (Channel 4)
My Family and the Galapagos, S1, 2018, (Channel 4)
WWII’s Great Escapes, 2017, (Channel 4)
Lost Worlds, 2015, (Discovery Channel)
Monty Halls’ Dive Mysteries, 2013, (Channel 5)
Great Barrier Reef, 2012, (BBC Two)
The Fisherman’s Apprentice, 2012, (BBC Two)
Monty Halls’ Great Irish Escape, 2011, (BBC Two)
Monty Halls’ Great Hebridean Escape, 2010, (BBC Three)
Monty Halls’ Great Escapes, 2009, (BBC Two)
Great Ocean Adventures, 2006, (Channel 5)
Books:
The Fisherman’s Apprentice, AA Publishing, 2010
Monty Halls’ Great Irish Escape, BBC Books, 2010
The Great Escape: Adventures on the Wild West Coast, BBC Books, 2010
Monty Halls’ Great Escape: Beachcomber Cottage, BBC Books, 2009
Dive: The Ultimate Guide, Ultimate Sports Publications Ltd, 2008
Go Scuba Dive, Dorling Kindersley, 2007
Scuba Diving (Eyewitness Companions), Dorling Kindersley, 2006