Presenting...

Hugo Mitchell-Heggs

Royal Navy Officer | Record Breaking Ocean Rower

“You have to trust your team—sometimes you need to leave your ego at the door and let others lead when the moment calls for it”

- Hugo Mitchell-Heggs -

Profile

Lieutenant Commander Hugo Mitchell-Heggs is a Royal Navy Submariner, marine engineer, and mental health advocate who has built a career leading in extreme environments. From operating nuclear submarines to breaking military records in ocean rowing, his expertise in high-pressure decision-making, resilience, and elite teamwork sets him apart.

As co-founder of HMS Oardacious, Hugo has twice led teams across the Atlantic Ocean, raising over £500,000 for mental health support and breaking the military rowing record in both 2018 and 2022. He continues to champion mental resilience, serving as Submarine Service Mental Health Champion and chairing the Submariners Mental Health and Well-being Fund.

Beyond the Navy, Hugo thrives on pushing boundaries. A former professional rugby player, he has also swum across the English Channel and is now preparing to swim the North Channel (Scotland to mainland UK) in September.

A master of leadership under pressure, resilience, and mental endurance, Hugo inspires organisations to redefine their limits and perform at their best in high-stakes environments.

Highlights

Fastest Military Atlantic Row (2019): Led the HMS Oardacious team in an unsupported row across the Atlantic, breaking the military record and raising £110,000 for mental health initiatives.

Mental Health Advocacy: Appointed Submarine Service Mental Health Champion in 2020, advocating for mental fitness within the submarine community.

Record-Breaking Second Atlantic Row (2022): Completed a second Atlantic row, breaking his own military record and further cementing his reputation as a leader in high-performance endeavors.

Charitable Impact: Raised over £500,000 for service charities, focusing on predominantly on mental health and well-being within the military community.

Leadership in Extreme Environments: Served as a Submariner and Nuclear Reactor Supervisor, leading teams through some of the most challenging environments known to man.

Key Themes

Leadership Under Pressure: Drawing from his military background and high-stakes expeditions, Hugo offers powerful insights into leading through uncertainty and adversity.

Resilience & Mental Fitness: As a champion of mental health, he emphasises how mental strength is critical for overcoming challenges in any arena.

Teamwork & Collaboration: Hugo’s leadership is deeply rooted in teamwork. He believes that true success comes when everyone is working toward a common goal and can rely on each other.

Entrepreneurship: As Hugo navigates his post-military career, he draws on his experience in leadership and resilience to fuel his entrepreneurial journey and guide others through similar transitions.

Social Impact: Whether through charity work, mental health advocacy, or entrepreneurial ventures, Hugo is committed to making a lasting impact on society.

Signature Talks

Leadership in Extreme Environments: From the Depths of the Sea to the Ocean’s Surface

Explore leadership lessons from Hugo’s experiences in the Navy and ocean expeditions, focusing on decision-making under extreme pressure and leading high-stakes teams.

Resilience and Mental Fitness: Building Strength for High-Pressure Situations

Hugo provides actionable insights on how to build mental resilience and stay mentally fit in challenging environments, equipping audiences to face adversity with confidence.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: How Collaboration Fuels Extraordinary Success

A deep dive into the importance of teamwork and how fostering a culture of collaboration can unlock peak performance in any team.