In March 2008 at the age of 31 Hugo’s life was turned upside down by a life threatening illness which in turn led to him losing his job, filing for bankruptcy and losing his fiancée. This turning point in Hugo’s life ignited a passion in him to lead expeditions... Read more
In March 2008 at the age of 31 Hugo’s life was turned upside down by a life threatening illness which in turn led to him losing his job, filing for bankruptcy and losing his fiancée.
This turning point in Hugo’s life ignited a passion in him to lead expeditions with a team of volunteers to less developed countries. He has since become known as “The Volunteer”, raising awareness, support and education for causes around the world.
Having overcome his illness and fully recovered, Hugo decided to go and volunteer in the slums of Nairobi caring for orphans with HIV. With a team of Volunteers he set himself the task of re-building a medical clinic in Kibera Slum, Nairobi. The experience had a deep impact on him and on his return he decided to document how volunteering and project building overseas can help small charities and the local communities, while at the same time inspire and educate.
Hugo’s documentaries and volunteering projects have taken him to the slums of Kenya, rural Uganda, the devastation of Haiti and the Philippines following natural disasters, the refugee camps in Lebanon and the suburbs of Moscow with the homeless.
‘The Volunteer’ has now become a recognized brand and via his documentaries which include contributions from personalities such as Sir Richard Branson, Hugo aims to inspire people into the benefits of volunteering while also exposing the good work that UK charities are doing overseas often under difficult and dangerous circumstances.
Hugo has raised huge amounts of funding and awareness for a variety of UK charities through his projects and also his charity challenge expeditions, which have seen him climb Mount Kilimanjaro, cross the Sahara desert and run a marathon in Siberia! Hugo’s projects and expeditions have taught him valuable lessons about teamwork, endurance, leadership and how to operate under great stress and danger.
Hugo has now written a book called ‘The Volunteer: A Guide to Volunteering’ which he has begun distributing across the country in a bid to bring the benefits of volunteering into people’s lives. David Cameron has written the introduction to his book and Bear Grylls has done the foreword.
The continuing imbalance in the world following his illness and the global economic crisis has only reinforced his passion that everyone now needs to show social responsibility, whether at home or abroad. This is applicable to individuals, corporations and governments. He makes the point that the leaders and companies of the future will only succeed long term and attract the best talent & growth, if they are seen to be fulfilling their ethical and social responsibilities. The best of the next generation will apply to those leading the field in these growth areas with volunteering at its core.
Hugo now lives in between Moscow and London where he teaches French, Spanish and English while also working with inspirational speakers looking to share their experiences around the world.
TESTIMONALS
“Hugo has embarked on a journey with the aim of changing the life of others – this first project shows his determination to make a difference for those orphans affected by HIV in Africa’s slums”
SIR RANULPH FIENNES OBE – GLOBAL EXPLORER
“This is a project that is very close to my heart. Hugo’s work is truly inspiring and his project will help some of the most deserving people in the world. I have a strong personal connection with Kenya and would like to join Hugo in urging as many people as possible to get involved with this extremely worthy cause.”
JEREMY HUNT – SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
‘Hugo’s story is a tender, often broken, but healing journey to find himself through loving others. That in itself is a great inspiration to me and many.’
BEAR GRYLLS – PRESENTER
“Hugo’s concept of The Volunteer and his journey to Nairobi’s slums is moving, inspirational and unique. It’s an honour to be involved with his project, and I’m really looking forward to future episodes.”
JAMES BLUNT – SINGER
‘It was an inspiration to witness first hand the huge amount of hard work that the Volunteer project does overseas. The welcome we received at the school in Uganda and the incredible unadulterated gratitude shown by the children, parents and teachers is something I will never forget.’
RICHARD DUNWOODY MBE – CHAMPION JOCKEY
‘All of us can learn so much from the commitment Hugo and his team have expressed towards those who are more vulnerable. Helping others is one of the biggest presents in life.’
CAMILA BATMANGHELIDJH – CEO & FOUNDER KIDS COMPANY
You can book Hugo Chittenden through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Hugo's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Hugo Chittenden's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Hugo tailored to your event.
Hugo Chittenden speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Hugo to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Hugo Chittenden for events worldwide, subject to Hugo's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Hugo Chittenden is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Hugo can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Hugo Chittenden on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Hugo can offer.
Hugo Chittenden delivers keynotes in Spanish. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Hugo Chittenden's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of Hugo's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Hugo Chittenden can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of Hugo's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Hugo Chittenden is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Hugo Chittenden, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Hugo's current availability for your dates.