INGENUITY THROUGH ADVERSITY

Listening to the rescue efforts of those poor kids trapped in a cave in Thailand as I cycled to work last week I wondered how long it would take until British cave divers would enter the scene, it wasn’t long. British cave divers have a fearsome reputation for tackling tricky projects and are often the first port of call in such rescue efforts, but why is that?

If you were to go cave diving in Florida you could enter crystal clear and warm water then go on to marvel at large flooded passages containing a host of wonders. You may even find nearby refreshments after your dive.

This is not the case in the UK.

When I first started cave diving with Martin Farr we scrambled up steep, wet and slippery mountain paths to gain access to tight, submerged subterranean passages where visibility often did not stretch past our hands. Martin is an expert, I am a novice but I can easily see why the British are internationally renowned as experts in cave diving; the learning conditions are just so tough here. It is a technical sport that requires the kind of focus that your life depends on and an ability to problem solve under pressure. It is also a great example of British creativity and ingenuity that we possess in so many other ways; our military, finance, arts, and tech industries to name but a few.

Last night I listened to Indian business leaders bemoan Brexit, they like many other countries have frozen much investment into the UK until the government offers some proper guidance. Many top level Indian executives don't know if they will be allowed to stay post-Brexit, or if their staff will. What was clear from last night's trade meeting is that despite all the uncertainty of Brexit, India ultimately is still very interested in UK business due to those 'niche' type industries we are so good at. We have the skills that many other thriving economies just can't copy. I look at those level headed cave divers out in Thailand and I’m inspired. Inspired enough to think they will find a solution to lead those poor kids to safety and inspired enough to feel our ingenious culture will lead us through the woes of Brexit.