Last Friday, managing director Mark King and director of design and build Rob Sewell attended the ‘Meet for Good’ business breakfast event at JLR Derby.

During the event, they heard from Preet Chandi, a British physiotherapist and captain in the British Army, who completed a solo expedition across Antarctica to the South Pole.

Preet Chandi MBE was born in Derby and served in the British Army for 16 years, during which time she discovered her passion for polar exploration.

Preet also shared that her motivation for such momentous challenges was to find her own ‘True North’ by overcoming many barriers placed in her way.

Across three expeditions in 2022 and 2023, Preet broke four world records in Antarctica, including becoming the first woman of colour to complete a solo expedition to the South Pole, and completing the female speed record to the South Pole in 31 days, 13 hours and 19 minutes.

Beyond her polar feats, Chandi is dedicated to inspiring young people, women, and those from ethnic minority backgrounds to challenge themselves and their perceived boundaries.

In 2026, Preet is seeking to become the first female to reach the North Pole, solo and unsupported – a feat only achieved by two people throughout history, and something
not even attempted in the last decade due to rapidly changing environmental conditions and numerous geopolitical challenges.

She continues to inspire many with her own determination, skill, and ambition, and is determined to maximise the impact on others through her own legacy and charity projects.

Her plans for ‘going North’ next year are coming together, but the expedition is unlike any other in terms of the risks, environmental challenges, and the sheer scale of her ambition.

Mark King commented: “Business and sport dovetail in so many ways and attending ‘Meet for Good’ events not only presents the opportunity to meet like-minded people but also our corporate social responsibilities to our customers, our people, our suppliers, our local communities and our environment.”

Meet for Good is a unique personal and business development platform that brings some of the most inspirational and passionate leaders from the worlds of high performance and sport.