Ann Daniels

Ann Daniels was born in Bradford, England, in 1964 or 1965, growing up with four older brothers. Her early career involved working for NatWest, where she advanced to the position of assistant bank manager. She left this role in 1994 following the birth of her triplets. In 1997, Daniels first reached the North Pole as part of the McVities Penguin Polar Relay, marking the beginning of her career in polar exploration. She has since visited the North Pole at least six times.

Daniels achieved historical recognition in 2002 when she and her team-mate Caroline Hamilton became the first women to reach both the North and South Poles as part of all-women teams. This included a 700-mile ski expedition across Antarctica to the South Pole and a 500-mile ski expedition from Ward Hunt Island to the North Pole. These journeys involved navigating extreme conditions such as frostbite, wet gangrene, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Her contributions to exploration and her ability to overcome significant challenges led to her being awarded an honorary DUniv degree from Staffordshire University in 2007.

From 2009 to 2011, Daniels took on the role of head of ice operations for the Catlin Arctic Survey expeditions, working alongside Pen Hadow. These expeditions focused on conducting environmental studies of the rapidly diminishing Arctic Ocean. She was responsible for leading her team on the ice, making critical decisions in extreme environments, and ensuring their safety for extended periods. During the 2010 survey, she supported scientists studying the changing chemistry and increasing acidity of the oceans, collecting valuable data in remote regions. Her final Catlin Arctic Survey in 2011 concentrated on the thermohaline properties of the Arctic Ocean and their potential global impact on oceans and weather patterns. She also gave a TEDxExeter talk in 2014 titled “Our corrosive oceans.”