Richard Field

Richard Field's Biography

Surviving a lion attack - Richard is a renowned and memorable keynote speaker, with a specialty for workplace health and safety.

Richard Field never planned on being a WHS speaker. He was, is and always will be an African safari guide. Then at 25 he was attacked by a lion in the wilds of northern Botswana. She knocked him to the ground and eventually bit down hard and deep on the back of his head. It was then that his life dissolved…

Richard’s story is compelling. Invariably you can hear a pin drop in an audience of any size. Richard’s decision to eventually and begrudgingly take personal responsibility for the accident provided him with an epiphany. It’s not the lion that was dangerous, it was his compromised decision making – something that is within his control. This allowed him to go back and work as a safari guide, but where he was more conscious of his decision making.

From the story Richard takes each audience member on a simulated 12 kilometre walk through a wilderness teeming with dangerous animals. It is here that he is able to show people that in his line of work, the difference between life and death isn’t the elephant or the Cape buffalo or the lioness – it is what is happening inside. Complacency and assumptions of safety, fatigue, distractions and rushing are the things that could ultimately lead to the compromised decision making which is the main contributor to dangerous moments.

Richard wraps up by talking about how culture influences the decision making of individuals, but that individuals can also influence the culture of the work place through their own example and demonstration.

Richard’s technique of keeping the stories and analogies focused on Africa’s wild places draws in each audience member and they will find their own understanding that whilst safety is also a shared responsibility, they need to take responsibility for their own decision making and therefore their own safety.

Richard is a seasoned African safari guide who spends 8–12 weeks each year leading guests through some of the wildest and most unpredictable environments on Earth. What sets Richard apart as a workplace health and safety speaker is that he doesn’t come from a corporate background—he comes from the bush.

Drawing on the dramatic experience of surviving a lion attack and a lifetime of navigating high-risk situations, Richard offers a unique and authentic perspective on safety. He takes audiences out of their everyday work environments and into the African wilderness, creating a powerful shift in mindset.

His gripping stories don’t just entertain—they open the door to meaningful conversations about safety, personal responsibility, and the often unseen cultural attitudes that can undermine even the best systems. Richard helps frontline workers recognise that situational awareness alone isn’t enough to keep you safe. You need personal awareness as well as open honest communications with your team.

He has spoken to thousands—from road crews to factory teams—and consistently leaves a lasting impact. His messages are simple but profound:

You are responsible for your own safety and your example changes the culture of safety.

Richard’s keynotes are more than presentations—they’re immersive, eye-opening journeys that challenge assumptions and inspire safer, more mindful workplaces.

The lion inside…In high-risk work environments, we are often focussed and alert in challenging situations. However the real danger – the hidden lion – is inside. Complacency, assumptions, distractions, fatigue and rushing are examples of how our internal attitudes make situations dangerous. As imperfect humans, these hidden dangers often sit just below our level of awareness. The challenge is to face these “lions” head on and raise our own internal awareness.  Safety is ultimately an awareness game.

Contact Helene Greenham directly for Richard Field’s speaking enquiries – helene@platinumspeakers.com.au

Speaking Topics Include

No one is “safe”

In dynamic, high risk environments, the only “safe” assumption is to assume that you aren’t safe. Anyone who believes that something bad “won’t happen to them” is inviting unnecessary risk into their work environment. As a young safari guide Richard had made the same assumption – inexperience, ego and rushing were some of the factors that resulted in Richard making a bad decision and getting attacked by a lion. The repercussions were enormous, not just for him, but for the people that he loved the most. When assumptions replace awareness, and urgency overrides caution, the potential for danger increases. Recognizing these subtle threats is key to maintaining a safe and focused workplace.