James Ketchell sets sail on new global adventure

Rentokil Initial is proudly sponsoring James Ketchell on his latest incredible adventure: sailing around the world! Known for his previous global challenges - flying and cycling around the planet for charity - James set sail from Gosport in the UK in late August 2025 and has made a great start to his massive 30,000 nautical mile journey.

He met up with Rentokil colleagues in Recife, Brazil, in late September and arrived in South Africa in late October. Many Rentokil colleagues in Cape Town got to meet him in between servicing the boat and taking custody of the Argo float from the National Oceanography Society. Dozens of children from Langa were also inspired by their trip to visit James on his boat. He left Cape town on 29 November and will be deploying the float at a specific location in the Southern Ocean as he headswards to Hobart, Tasmania, 6,600 nautical miles away.

His 40ft yacht, named Mindset, reflects James’ mission to inspire young people to develop the right mindset to be able to pursue their own goals and dreams. With the help of Starlink internet technology, James will be taking us all on a virtual journey around the world and will create content for schools along the way. You can follow his progress here:

https://jamesketchell.net/follow-james-round-the-world-progress-live/

On his journey across the seas, Ketchell is also collecting valuable scientific data for The National Oceanography Centre as well as water samples for Seakeepers oceanographic research to measure the levels of microplastics in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

He is also raising funds for two important UK-based charities: Baton of Hope (suicide awareness and prevention) and Kindled Spirit (supporting vulnerable young women in India).

In 2014, James cycled 18,000 miles around the world, and in 2019, he entered Guinness World Records when he became the first person to fly around the world in an open cockpit gyrocopter. Other adventures have included an unsupported trek across Greenland, making daily satellite calls to schools across the UK, and climbing Mount Everest. Last year, he cycled across America in support of Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.

Find out more here:

https://jamesketchell.net/about-the-challenge/

https://jamesketchell.net/national-oceanography-centre/

https://www.seakeepers.org/about-us/our-mission/

Charities being supported:

www.kindledspirit.org.uk

https://batonofhopeuk.org/