International cruise ships
Enrichment and destination talks developed to complement each ship’s itinerary.
Professional speaker · Author · Entrepreneur · Raconteur · Award-winning product designer · Explorer
A lifetime of stories, brought vividly to life.
Stefan White is an experienced enrichment and destination speaker whose talks connect people, places, history and the natural world.
Speaking worldwide
Cruise speaker since 2007
112
Enrichment talks
326
Destination talks
97
Countries visited
2007
Cruise speaking since
Previous work
Experience that holds a room.
From lecture halls and learned societies to the theatres of international cruise ships, Stefan combines careful research with an engaging, accessible delivery.
Universities & societies
Lectures for universities, leading societies and specialist interest groups.
Public institutions
Engagements include the Royal Horticultural Society and a private members group in the House of Commons.
Author & researcher
Original, deeply researched subjects shaped into entertaining stories for broad audiences.
Areas of expertise
A wide world of subjects.
Every talk is designed to be informative, relevant and entertaining—giving audiences new stories to take away and share.
History
Compelling episodes, turning points and overlooked stories from across the centuries.
Arts & personalities
The remarkable people, artists and ideas that have shaped cultures around the world.
Seas & oceans
Maritime history, ocean challenges and the stories behind the waters we travel.
Climate & conservation
Clear, informed perspectives on climate change and the conservation questions of our age.
Golf
The history, personalities and psychology behind one of the world’s most enduring games.
Horticulture
Pioneering gardeners, social history and the people who transformed our landscapes.
Political leaders
Insightful biographies of significant world leaders who have influenced history, often leading fights for independence and freedom.
Food & drink
Informed talks on regional speciality food and drinks, drawing on his love of food and experience as a hotel inspector. These can often be paired with sample tastings.
The rise and fall of civilisations
How past major civilisations made themselves great and why they ultimately failed.
The full programme
112 enrichment talks, by theme.
Select a theme to see every talk it contains, with a short summary of each.
About Stefan
Entrepreneur, expedition leader, traveller and lifelong storyteller.
Stefan began his career with Cadbury’s, starting in their Management Training Programme. Working through practically all of the Departments in their Bournville Headquarters, he progressed to appointments in Managerial Sales.
In his twenties, he organised and led an expedition from England to Jerusalem, following an historic route through Europe and the Middle East taken by Pilgrims in the 11th century, returning back to England along the North African coast, thereby circumnavigating the entire Mediterranean Sea.
Having experienced a good background in manufacturing and marketing, his entrepreneurial genes led him to the best source of Business Administration study, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. On his return he researched and found the niche market he was seeking – Gifts for Men.
He founded and built Hurley Style into an international, market-leading Giftware business, selling original designs in 30 countries. He designed and developed more than 450 different products, focusing on Men’s Gifts, Decorative Accessories, Wine Accessories and wine-themed Gifts. His best-selling items were the “Magnafloats” Executive Game Paperweight, (winner of the prestigious British Gift and Jewellery Federation “Gift of the Year” award), the “Therm-au-Rouge” red wine warming sleeve, the “Bacchus” Decanter Driers, “The Ultimate Executive Lunch” Scratch’n Sniff book and “The Development of the Golf Ball” lidded Desk Tidy Box.
After 45 years as a creative entrepreneur, he sold his successful business. His love of food led to him being appointed as Hotel Inspector for Britain’s oldest established guide to prestigious Hotels. He also focused on being a published Author and Public Speaker.
A member of the Royal Horticultural Society and elected member of the Royal Historical Society, Stefan brings first-hand experience, a love of research, deep curiosity and an international perspective to every engagement.
On cruise ships, (57 cruises to date as Guest Speaker), he socialises with Guests, volunteers to act as escort on excursions, hosts tables and is happy to be approached by Guests with questions at any time.
Author
Heroines of Horticulture
Published by Schiffer Books, this landmark book examines 100 pioneering American women gardeners and their contribution to North America’s gardening heritage.
Stefan is also completing the three-volume When Women Saved America and has written The Black Art of Putting, an entertaining exploration of golf’s most psychologically challenging art.
For event organisers
Bring Stefan’s stories to your audience.
For cruise programmes, societies, universities and special-interest events, Stefan can shape a talk or series around your audience and itinerary.