This year, the BGTW presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Colonel John Blashford-Snell OBE, DSc (Hons), FRSGS – explorer, travel writer, and pioneer in youth travel and leadership training.

John Blashford-Snell is one of the most colourful and influential travellers alive today. Born in 1936, he was educated at Victoria College, Jersey and Sandhurst, and served for 37 years in the Royal Engineers. He married Judith in 1960; they have 2 daughters and live in Dorset.

In 1968, he led an expedition that achieved the first descent of the Blue Nile, and helped develop the whitewater raft - now one of the world's most popular holiday activities. Other firsts include the first vehicle crossing of the Darien Gap and the first source-to-sea navigation of the Congo River. Since 1968 he has organised and led over 60 expeditions, all mixing high adventure with scientific research, some tipping over into the bizarre, such as his longterm hunt for Atlantis and an epic trip through the Amazon jungle with a grand piano.

In 1969, he and his colleagues founded the Scientific Exploration Society which has been at the forefront of scientific exploration and endeavour ever since, combining scientific research, conservation, education, community and medical aid. Non-scientists may also take part.

From 1978-80, he combined his army experience of leadership training and his love of expedition when, with the help of Prince Charles, he launched Operation Drake. This two-year round-the-world expedition offered young people a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with projects on land and at sea, combining adventure with scientific research and community projects. 400 young people from 27 nations took part, working on projects in 16 countries.

In 1984, this was followed by the much larger Operation Raleigh. By 1992 over 10,000 young men and women from 50 nations had taken part. It is still going, now renamed Raleigh International. Thousands of young people from around the world and every background take part, around 40% of them British; 20% from the various host countries; 20% from the rest of the world; and 20% from a special Youth at Risk programme which has had significant results in helping to turn around troubled lives around.

JBS has won several major awards including the Segrave Trophy, Royal Scottish Geographical Society's Livingstone Medal; the Royal Geographical Society Patron's Medal; the Institute of Royal Engineers Gold Medal; and the OBE. He has even found time to write over 13 books and carry out a full programme of broadcasting and public speaking.

‘Blashers’, as he is known to the press, is an extraordinary man whose breadth of vision has made a significant difference to third world development, the travel industry and helped broaden the minds of thousands of young people across the world, all the while brightening our lives as an entertaining showman, writer and broadcaster. No one has been more deserving of our Lifetime Achievement Award.