Testimonials

Mark has worked with groups and individuals around the world from ABN AMRO, Bank of Ireland, Canon, Citigroup, CSFB, the Harvard University-based Leaders for Tomorrow Programme, Investco, Merrill Lynch, The National Austrailia Bank Group, Shell, Smurfit Group, Snap Printing, The University of Dublin and Vodafone amongst others.

“I first met Mark while competing against him in the North Pole Marathon and was immediately impressed by his positivity, resilience and determination. To take on endurance challenges in places like The Arctic and Gobi Desert requires great courage and mental strength. The fact that Mark has completed these adventures after losing his sight makes him truly inspiring.”

Sir Ranulph Fiennes

“Your account of how you have overcome the loss of sight and continued to live your life and "make it happen" was humbling.

But more than that, it was truly inspiring and invigorating as you challenged each one of us to reflect on and recognise how we choose to live our lives. You illustrated by personal example how we make decisions and that, by deciding what we want to change and what we want to see persist, we can find a powerful way through obstacles that originally might have seemed insurmountable.

You also recounted your experiences with great style, honesty and humour. I can tell you that everyone who heard you has since spoken of you and been energised.”

Teresa Elder, CEO, Vodafone Ireland

“Many thanks for making it to our Leadership Conference in London last week at such short notice. Your contribution to the day was truly impactful. Feedback from everyone I've spoken to underlines how motivating and stimulating your contribution was. I hope to get you back when we review the next stage of our journey.”

David McGowan, Managing Director, BOI Business Banking UK

“The feedback from your talk "make it happen" has been fantastic. I know a number of sceptics that attended the talk have been raving about it ever since. People have asked me when your book is coming out as they would love to both read it themselves and also pass it onto the many others they have spoken to about you. Since your session many people are beginning to get up and make it happen in terms of their work and career goals in Canon - there really is a different atmosphere around the place.”

Neil Carty, Marketing Manager, Canon Ireland

“I've just had the opportunity to listen to the "Making it Happen" talk that you gave at CSFB in Singapore . As a rule I tend to shy away from reading motivational type books. Most of these books are written by people who second guess tough issues, rather than actually having lived through it themselves which makes your delivery that much more powerful. You also have a very comfortable, relaxed way of speaking which makes it enjoyable listening to you. You stood up there, spoke without pause for 40 minutes, with no aids or cues and yet you kept the audience engaged the entire time.”

Credit Suisse First Boston

“When facing uncertain times, Mark displays an attitude and perspective that reminds us that we really are in charge of our own destiny. And, in hearing how he has overcome his own difficulties, he demonstrates the power that resides within all of us to 'make things happen'. Mark truly lives up to the title of "inspirational speaker", and we look forward to his return to Asia.”

Tom Royds, Head of Asian Equity Sales, ABN AMRO

"Mark tells his story in a way that is both profound and touching. He provides his audience with a real insight into his personal struggle to overcome his fears and achieve his business and sporting ambitions while dealing with becoming blind in his early twenties. To listen to Mark, you cannot avoid feeling true admiration for what he has achieved, and he is living proof that if you have a positive outlook and are focused on your goals, you can do anything you want to."

Mick Sweeney, Bank of Ireland Global Markets

“From the feedback which I have received the talk you gave touched all the 300 odd people at our offsite and was a very effective way to balance out the previous presentations from management (i.e. the messages from above) with a very personal and individual message. One of the great strengths of your message is that it does lead the listener to look at their situation and question their responses and to reflect on those attitudes. We may not control the environment and may not be responsible for the situation we find our selves in but we are responsible for our actions and responses.

I guess one of the reasons why people got so much out of your talk was that it was aimed as much as helping them develop as people as it was helping them be better corporate employees. This sort of personal development is important for us all and I see having an increased place in the corporate training process. We sometimes forget that we hire whole people whose life outside of the office needs to be balanced (what ever that is) otherwise the output we get is not sufficient.”

Paul Masi, Merrill Lynch ( Asia Pacific Region)

“Thanks again for your talk at our Sales Conference yesterday - it was a major talking point for the evening afterwards and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Best of luck at the North Pole!”

Daragh Wall,Marketing Manager, Smurfit Corrugated Ireland

“Just a short note to congratulate you on your presentation on Monday evening to the senior management of Corporate Banking. You did a great job...exactly what was required in terms of motivating the new team as they face the challenges of the next few years. I was, personally, humbled to listen to your story and also uplifted by it. I am sure that you had a similar effect on everyone in the room. The feedback afterwards was universally positive. I am sure that there are other parts of the Group that could benefit from such a session and I will be recommending you internally, where appropriate. Thanks once again for your contribution to the event.”

Denis Donovan, Chief Executive, Wholesale Financial Services, Bank of Ireland Group

"I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation as well as our chat after dinner. Your story will serve as an inspiration to many people for a long time to come. Your passion for adventure and energy for life are remarkable."

Francis O'Connor, managing director, International Equity Sales trading, Merrill Lynch ( New York )

“Your talk in Bangkok was awesome…the thing that grabbed me was your message that unless you get motivated to achieve your dream you'll never get there and that even after a huge setback (such as losing your sight)you can still achieve your dreams and goals if you remain focused and determined.As you highlighted, in order to achieve your goals you need to make it happen rather than either talk about it or make excuses why it can't. That is what we are all trying to achieve now.”

David Rattray, Director, Head of Sales Trading, Merrill Lynch ( Australia )

"Merrill Lynch was delighted to invite Mark to speak in front of over 350 people at our global offsite in Bangkok . His story is remarkable and an inspiration to all of us. As Mark will tell you there are two types of people, those who make it happen and those who make excuses. Thanks to his talk I and all of us are now in the right camp of making things happen."

Steven Corry, Vice President, regional equity strategy, Merrill Lynch ( Hong Kong )

“I was at the presentation today in Belfast and found what you said very thought provoking and to be honest a real wake up call and reality check. You reminded me of a lot of what I had heard before, which over time, had got lost in the pressure of non important issues and a 'victim' mind set.! I just wanted to let you know that your message hit home and that the rest is up to me now (if I want it to be). I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your lesson on life. Thanks again and every success in the future.”

Paul Boyd, Northern Bank

“Mark had over 40 participants on the Harvard University-based Leaders for Tomorrow Programme sitting on the edge of their seats thinking whether they should change how they were responding to their situations. Mark is a compelling and challenging speaker.”

Alan McKelvey , Principal, McKelvey Training & Consulting

"Mark's talk was the highlight of Irish Shell Health and Safety Week. His strength of character, determination and great sense of humour are an inspiration."

Linda O'Hanlon, PA Chairman, Irish Shell Ltd

“In half an hour you made me realise that I have only myself holding me back. thanks to your inspirational words and inspiring story I'm starting to think that no matter how far fetched my visions seem now if I put the work in they will become less and less of an impossibility.”

Richard colgan, St Michaels School ( Dublin )