Summer Graduate Interns Take on the Shackleton Challenge: A Day of Growth, Teamwork, and Discovery

Last week, we had the pleasure of delivering a unique and inspiring personal
development day for some brilliant summer graduate interns. Set in the great outdoors,
the event was designed to help the interns grow their confidence, sharpen their
leadership skills, and strengthen their ability to work as a team — all through the lens
of Ernest Shackleton’s legendary Antarctic expedition.

The programme draws powerful lessons from Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary Antarctic expedition, where his extraordinary leadership turned a near-tragic mission into a story of survival and unity. Shackleton’s ability to lead under extreme pressure, adapt to changing circumstances, and keep his team motivated despite overwhelming odds forms the backbone of this immersive team-building experience. Just like Shackleton, participants are challenged to collaborate, communicate, and lead with resilience—developing the mindset and cohesion needed to thrive in today’s unpredictable world.

The day was built around key themes of resilience, collaboration, and self-awareness. Through a variety of engaging and challenging activities, the interns were encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and reflect on what it means to lead under pressure; just as Shackleton did in the face of adversity. From problem-solving exercises to outdoor challenges that required both strategy and teamwork, the interns showed incredible energy and enthusiasm throughout.

The activities weren’t just physical; they were designed to prompt reflection, spark
discussion, and inspire personal insights. It was fantastic to see how quickly the
group bonded, encouraged one another, and pushed themselves to grow.

Our aim was to create an impactful experience that the interns could take with
them as they continue their graduate journey – and from the feedback, it’s clear the
day made a strong impression.

A huge thank you to everyone involved for making the event such a success. We
look forward to continuing our work with different companies and supporting the development of
future leaders.