Rob Casserley – Keynote Speaker

Rob Casserley is a UK trained Emergency and Family Physician, now working in French in Québec, Canada. Working in another country and language caps a life full of challenges that have helped define him.

Prior to medical school, Rob successfully completed a Short Service Limited Commission in the Royal Engineers. As Troop Commander, with responsibility for 30+ men, integrity, flexibility, teamwork and the art of leadership were all qualities that he honed.

On graduating from Newcastle Medical School, the role of Junior House Officer awaited him. Working long hours in often challenging conditions would prove to be a most extraordinary apprenticeship for young Rob the doctor and person. Pulling together to help the most vulnerable in society was a humbling and privileged time of his life which still helps to guide him to this day.

The call of the mountains came in the early 2000s and he first reached the summit of Everest on 22 May 2003. In 2007 he summited Everest twice in one week, the joint-first time Everest had ever been double summited in the same climbing season by a western climber. In 2010, he repeated the feat, becoming the first western climber to “double” “double” summit Everest. He has now been to the top of Everest 8 times, 3 times of Cho Oyu (6th highest mountain in the world) and once of Manasalu (8th highest mountain in the world) and has climbed many other great peaks including Denali, Aconcagua and Ama Dablam amongst others. His work on Everest has included guiding over 30 people to the summit, filming and appearing in the BBC documentary series “Everest ER”, being involved in numerous medical rescues on the mountain over the years and helping to guide and provide medical support to Sir Ranulph Fiennes on his Everest attempt in 2008. Everest – the region, culture and its people – is in his DNA.

With great success in the mountains has come great tragedy. Following the earthquake in Nepal in 2015, 3 members of his team were killed at basecamp. From devastation and despair has come enormous good. Philanthropy has become his solace and through great efforts from family, friends and community, Rob and his wife have raised over $60,000USD to rebuild Chheskam school, with responsibility for Kumar’s (one of the lost friends) 4 children. By doing good – we all benefit – and this has now become one of his main “raisons d’être”.

Rob has had an incredibly interesting life to date, simply by thinking outside of the box and embracing new challenges. Rowing the Atlantic Ocean (or most of it!) in 2010, cycle touring across the United States and Europe, endurance multi-stage runs in Mongolia, multiple marathons and Ironman triathlons have given each pain in his body a fond memory and maybe one day, something to tell the grandchildren about. Rob is still climbing in the mountains, running a small trekking company and working full-time in medicine. Importantly, through all of his experiences, he has had a lot of time to think about the important elements to living a happy and fulfilled life – something that he would be happy to share with you!