Ben Major has been to some of the world’s most remote and challenging places, so we knew he’d have a story or two up his sleeve. We grabbed 10 minutes with our Director.
Ben’s diverse career spans military service, mountaineering, wildlife conservation, and television consultancy. A seasoned adventurer, explorer, and survival expert, with over 40 global expeditions under his belt, he’s led some of Secret Compass’ most ground-breaking projects.
“Building and sailing an Arabian Dhow (with no engine on board) down the coast of Africa, past Mogadishu, got the heart racing, as did making landfall in a 23-foot rowing boat on Tofua in the middle of the Pacific...”
How did you end up doing what you do?
By accident! Like all things, you make your own luck through the people you meet along the way.
For me, school was about climbing and trips on north sea fishing trawlers which sent me on a trajectory toward a 10-year military career during which climbing and jungle expeditions featured heavily.
On leaving, I wasn’t too sure how to replicate the ‘buzz’ of the Army and I built a career portfolio of vocational jobs, including anti-poaching, around-the-world yacht racing, jungle expeditions, and even a bit of kids TV presenter thrown in the mix! However varied, the recurring theme throughout was looking after people.
What do you love about your work?
The variety and the people. No two days are the same, and you can go round the globe three times during the course of the day discussing bonkers ideas.
It is all about the people and the shared experiences, whether they are challenging, mundane or epic!
What’s the wildest job you’ve ever done?
That’s a difficult one. Building and sailing an Arabian Dhow (with no engine on board) down the coast of Africa, past Mogadishu, got the heart racing, as did making landfall in a 23-foot rowing boat on Tofua in the middle of the Pacific.
Searching for and capturing 30-foot anacondas, before playing ‘rock, paper, scissors’ as to who gets the head end, might be the highlight, though!
Who do you look up to in the adventure TV & Film world?
There’s plenty of unsung heroes out there – camera ops are tasked with the pressure of capturing the story, whilst also looking after themselves, whether at 6,000m in the Himalayas looking for snow leopards or trekking across the Taklamakan Desert (also known as ‘The Desert of Death’) in temperatures of over 50 degrees.
A shout-out must also go to the production management teams who have the thankless task, often from an office, of coordinating teams of over 100 people travelling around the world – it’s no mean feat. They get little praise when everything goes to plan and cop all the flak when things go wrong – a tough but essential job.
Why is it so important to tell the stories that come with some risk?
Simply to keep it real and tell the ‘truth’. The key to balance lies in evaluating the risk vs the reward. There are levels of risk in everything we do – some stories come with greater risk, particularly in breaking news or current affairs areas, but it’s important to validate what’s happening around the world and the untold stories of so many. By being there to document it first-hand, we can share truth and reality.
What makes you good at handling risk?
I don’t think I am necessarily any good at it, however, I do know the right questions to ask – those key questions being, ‘Is it worth it?’ and ‘Does the story or reward justify the risk?’.
It also helps having been around the block a bit in terms of varied life experience; the phrase ‘poacher turned gamekeeper’ springs to mind.
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing this?
Building treehouses as it involves a myriad of skills, creative and technical in equal measure, but, above all, fun!
What’s your idea of fun?
Family time exploring new things, peak bagging in the Lakes, surfing, plus a good game of Kubb – fun for all ages, especially after a few!
What’s the greatest challenge you’ve taken on?
Building a runway and an ‘eco lodge’ in pristine rainforest in Guyana in the middle of wet season was probably the most challenging – oh, and lets not forget the 8-week timescale…
Any irrational (or rational) fears?
Slugs – I had to eat one once and never again! I now have an aversion to all things slimey.
Best advice you’ve ever been given and by who?
“Set the Culture” – a piece of advice given to me as a junior officer by a now 3* General. It’s resonated throughout my life.
Ben’s Secret Compass…
Favourite place you’ve ever visited?
Banks Islands, Vanuatu – the happiest people in the most spectacular setting – palm-fringed coral atolls with abundant seafood!
Somewhere you’ve never been but would like to go?
Tibetan Plateau and also the Aleutians.
Best meal you’ve eaten when travelling?
A barbecued steak with maize, served with swigs of cold red wine, with a bunch of Chagras (cowboys) at 4,500m in the Andes in Ecuador.
Favourite way to travel?
By boat, in all forms.
For more tales of adventure, follow @secret.compass on Instagram.