Adventurer |Explorer |Speaker
Deon Barrett is the founder of the True North Project and aims to be the first black Englishman to summit Mount Everest.
He is committed to working with organisations who align with his personal values and continues to work with Nature Premium and Ordinance Survey. He is an honourable member of the Scientific Exploration Society (SES) and ambassador for the London Youth charity. Deon believes that supporting and working with others is key to the success of his mission
He is a passionate explorer, environmental advocate and role model dedicated to inspiring the next generation to connect with the great outdoors and in turn become more empowered than ever.
Growing up on the urban outskirts of Southwest London, Deon faced significant challenges, including struggles with identity and involvement in local gang culture. However, his mother’s passion for travel exposed him to transformative new landscapes, sparking his love for nature and reshaping his path.
In 2015, he joined the British Armed Forces where he developed resilience, rediscovered his connection to the outdoors and gained global experiences in unique and demanding roles. After eight years of service, he founded the True North Project, a mission to inspire and empower young people through outdoor education and exploration.
He is also passionate about addressing the underrepresentation of diverse and underserved people in outdoor spaces by undertaking extreme expeditions to some of the world’s most remote and high-risk environments. With a goal to become the first black Englishman to summit Mount Everest, he is breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes while advocating for inclusion and diversity in the outdoors.
Through initiatives like the “True North Project,” Deon works to integrate outdoor education into UK school curriculums, equipping young people with essential life skills, confidence and mental resilience. As a speaker, he combines his personal journey, military-honed discipline and passion for adventure to inspire others to embrace the outdoors, overcome challenges and protect the planet for future generations, paving the way and leaving a lasting legacy.