After Dinner SpeakersMark ‘Billy’ Billingham MBE QCB is the Chief Instructor on the hit TV series SAS: Who Dares Wins (UK) and a DS on Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test (USA).
He also presents his own series on BBC One – SAS: Catching The Criminals.
Joining the Parachute Regiment in 1983, Billy held numerous positions, from Patrol Commander for worldwide operational tours to Training Instructor.
Billy joined the SAS in 1992 as a Mountain Troop specialist.
He has been responsible for training, planning, and executing strategic operations at the highest level across numerous locations, including Iraq, Afghanistan, South America, and Africa. Furthermore, Billy led many hostage rescues.
As a result, he received the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery and an MBE.
A decorated military leader, Billy served for over 20 years in the SAS.
Billy is a certified Special Forces Instructor. His other skills include the following:
- Counter-Terrorist Sniper Instructor
- Advanced Evasive Driving Instructor
- Tracking, Jungle Warfare & Navigation Instructor
- Demolition and Sabotage Instructor
- Skiing Instructor
- Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Abseiling & Ice Climbing Instructor
- Combat Survival and RTI Instructor
- Counter-Terrorist Instructor
- Patrol Medic/Trauma Life Support
Billy was the Senior Military Instructor at The British Army Jungle Warfare Training School in Brunei.
Billy is an Ambassador for REBUILD Globally. This charity promotes prosperity by growing Haiti’s educated and skilled workforce, ensuring a pathway to dignified employment.
“Billy is inspirational and always humble. A giant of a man!”
Bear Grylls OBE
Celebrity Bodyguard:
Following a distinguished military career, Billy entered the world of bodyguarding. Billy protected many Hollywood celebrities, including Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Sir Michael Caine, Russell Crowe, and Tom Cruise, with a formidable reputation.
‘The SAS and all it stands for is exemplified in men such as Mark Billingham. They are the backbone of the British military, and I, for one, am thankful he is on our side!’
Sir Ranulph Fiennes
SAS: Who Dares Wins and Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test
Billy is the Chief Instructor on Channel 4’s hit show SAS: Who Dares Wins, supported by DS Rudy Reyes, Jason Fox and Chris Oliver.
He was also a DS on Channel 7’s record-breaking TV series SAS Australia.
Based on elements of Special Forces Selection, the Directing Staff put civilians and celebrities through an eight-day selection process that tests them mentally and physically.
In January 2023, FOX TV (USA) premiered Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, which featured Billy as a DS.
Billy is the highest-ranking and most decorated SAS leader and SAS instructor on TV.
SAS: Catching the Criminals
In this new BBC One series, Billy followed Britain’s police and elite enforcement teams across the UK to help catch criminals.
The series takes audiences on an incredible, immersive journey that examines how police and enforcement teams increasingly use military and SAS-style tactics to catch criminals.
Billy Billingham Book – The Hard Way: Adapt, Survive and Win:
Billy’s autobiography, The Sunday Times Bestseller – The Hard Way, details his life story. It’s an inspiring read that educates and enthrals those wishing to seek and conquer a challenge the SAS way.
He tours the UK, speaking to sell-out audiences.
Billy Billingham – Motivational Speaker
As an SAS Motivational Speaker, Billy doesn’t deal in theory – he speaks from lived experience.
His keynote speeches are raw, honest and grounded in lessons forged under pressure. Covering resilience, leadership, accountability, teamwork and adapting to change, he challenges audiences to raise their standards, take ownership and operate at a higher level.
Direct, engaging and deeply authentic, Billy delivers powerful messages that resonate long after the event ends.
An experienced and entertaining speaker, Billy has delivered keynote speeches at conferences and company meetings worldwide.
For all broadcast, speaking and commercial enquiries, please get in touch with James Poole – the agent for Billy Billingham.
