MICHAEL MCGRATH

 “Michael is an inspiration. He has a thoroughly positive outlook for somebody facing such adversities”- Sir Richard Branson, Chairman Virgin Group

Michael McGrath provokes, stimulates and inspires change. 

Forget the fact that he is the only disabled person in the world to have conquered both North and South Poles and that he has the debilitating muscle wasting disease known as Muscular Dystrophy for a moment. In May he received the prestigious 2005 Business Traveller of the Year Award in Dubai . 

He was included in The Queen’s 2004 Christmas Day Broadcast reinforcing diversity as a strength and earlier that same month, honoured by Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace for his significant contribution to national life. 

A consultant working in the area of diversity and inclusion, he is also the disABILITY Champion for Hilton Hotels.

 British born with a cocktail of Irish and Brazilian blood in him and educated by the Jesuits, he is first and foremost a father, leader, motivator and change agent.  His remarkable life story is one of consistently challenging adversity. 

He is both inspirational in terms of his daily battle in overcoming his physical limitations and driven in the way he imparts his can-do ethos to his audience.  Articulate in delivery, he is living proof that the remarkable power of the human spirit is alive and well. A real person with real experiences delivering real messages that uplift human consciousness.

 Through his role as disABILITY Champion for Hilton Hotels operating at a strategic level, he drives organisational confidence by communicating with key industry stakeholders. 

He educates and inspires both employees, customers, agencies and professional industry bodies around DDA legislation, the practicalities, impact and commercial opportunities, influencing both brand and business thinking. His work with Hilton has led to further understanding of the needs of, and matters affecting, disabled guests throughout the Hilton estate.

 As disability moves up the corporate agenda, Michael is regularly invited to share his experiences and insights with organisations around the world looking to learn about integrated access and inclusive amenities but also seeking to understand the business case in recognising the benefits of an inclusive culture – with >10 million disabled people in the UK with a combined spending power of >£80 billion per annum, delivering for example inclusive conferences in the UK that are accessible-for-all is unquestionably clear.

 In April 2002, his undefeatable will to succeed and his relentless desire to push himself to even greater achievements led him to successfully reach the North Pole and in January 2004 to Antarctica and the South Pole. His polar experiences are laced with danger, incredulity and excitement. 

After a near fatal aircraft incident on arrival into Antarctica and enduring 14 days on the ice, he and his culturally diverse team reached the South Pole having been man-hauled in the supine position the last 5kms. He ‘walked’ the final leg, a distance of 310 metres. 

Facing his worst fears head-on and feeling the cold terribly due to a woefully inefficient circulatory system and despite severe walking difficulties having lost 65% of his muscle bulk, Michael became the first disabled person to have reached both North and South Poles.  

Established on the international speaker circuit and in the age of new adventurers, his infectious spirit is personified by the example of self-improvement he continually sets. In valuing difference, engaging presentations move people from diverse backgrounds and at all levels to make a tangible difference in both their workplace and personal lives. One of his key learning’s is to recognise what he calls the power within and that the journey towards achieving one’s goals is far more important than the final destination.

 Undaunted by his debilitating condition, this truly insightful speaker has firmly grasped life head on. He continues to make things happen his way. Numerous magazine and newspaper articles have covered his extraordinary exploits with many radio and TV appearances. Sound commercial experience drawn from a business background in performance improvement, employee motivation and sales development enable him to customise his delivery by inspiring both small and large groups to reach beyond.

 Michael is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Muscle Help Foundation whose vision is to see a world free of muscle disorders.   

“In exploring human potential, we are intrinsically connected by muscles that bind us together, muscles that give us the power to function and achieve, muscles that enable ambitions and dreams to be realised” [ Michael McGrath ]  

Areas of Expertise  

Strong self-belief, meticulous preparation, focus and personal accountability are his guiding principles. Michael’s qualities of determination, courage, resilience, optimism and purpose of mind ensure all parties with whom he connects achieve positive outcomes. Beneath his personable disposition and appealing sense of humour, there lie profound messages that provoke, stimulate and inspire change.

 From keynote addresses for conferences, seminars, corporate events and award ceremonies both in the UK and overseas, Michael shapes and customizes each presentation that he delivers according to client objectives. This versatile speaker often illustrates key messages and learning’s with stunning high quality images and high impact moments – audiences experience a roller-coaster of emotions through his innate ability to interprete information and then deliver using his unique blend to connect, enthuse and inspire his audiences.

 Speaking topics  

By no means exhaustive, Michael has delivered on a variety of topics, themes and workshops including:

 Ice, Slice & Adrenalin

Belief and The Power Within

Leadership in Action

pole2pole ~ What Goes Up Must Go Down

Working with calculated Risk

Flexing your Brand Muscle

Challenging Preconceptions about disABILITY

Valuing Difference

Inspiring others to Reach Beyond

Look at ME … not my disability

ABILITY, not disABILITY

Triumph over Adversity

The Disability Business Case

Focus on YOUR goals

Inclusion Today in business

Finding the Balance  

“Michael’s can-do presentation at our 2005 Barclays UK Banking Senior Leadership Conference was inspirational … in particular, he really brought to life the commercial imperatives of the diversity agenda … contributing significantly to the overall success of the event”

Alastair Camp, Managing Director, Medium Business & Agriculture , UK Banking

Barclays PLC

 “Direct, considered, inspired and inspirational”

Daniel Kemmler, International Business Leader

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd Pharmaceuticals Division

 “The reaction of everyone standing up at the end of your keynote delivery at our Senior Management Conference was a massive tribute – I have never seen that before!”

Sharon Dance, Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs

DHL UK & Ireland

“Michael had a significant impact at our 2005 Senior Management Conference by providing an inspirational message to all.   His strong message of the powerful benefits to be gained by connecting with people was very well received; this will continue to add value for years to come in our internal relationships, with our clients and with our customers.  Michael’s energy and portfolio of achievement in the face of adversity serves as a great example to all who are privileged to hear him speak”

Paul Kirk, Group Managing Director

Carillion Transport

 “Superb presentation – keeping a lively audience like our Senior Managers & Executive captivated for 45 minutes is no mean feat! Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, illustrated in part by the standing ovation – your delivery was ‘inspiring’, ‘impressive’, ‘highly charged’, and ‘engaging’.  The honest and direct partnership we enjoy with you as our ‘disABILITY Champion’ is the best way to ensure that we’re doing all that is practicable to make the Hilton experience even better for our disabled guests”

Wolfgang M. Neumann, Area President

Hilton Hotels UK & Ireland

 “Michael is an inspiration. He has a thoroughly positive outlook for somebody facing such adversities”

Sir Richard Branson, Chairman

Virgin Group

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