June 26th, 2025.



Automotive industry charity, Ben, is revealing next year’s Industry Leader Challenge (ILC), which will see participants tackle the most chilling challenge yet: The Glacier in Iceland from the 18th to the 27th of March 2026.

Taking place in the icy wilderness of Iceland’s Langjökull ice cap, this extreme expedition will see 24 of the automotive industry's boldest leaders ski-trekking through sub-zero temperatures, dramatic terrain, and battling isolation in the name of challenge and charity. Up to 12 teams of two will need to raise a minimum of £25,000 per team for Ben.

The Glacier continues ILC’s tradition of taking a group of senior leaders far beyond their comfort zones. The challenge lasts 10 days in total and challengers will spend eight of these on the ice cap, journeying together through one of the most remote environments on Earth. They will face:

- Up to nine hours of ski-trekking each day

- Ski-trekking to 1,450m above sea level

- Temperatures as low as -25°C overnight

- Zero contact with the outside world

- Seven nights of camping in the freezing wilderness.

Participants will wake up early each day to melt snow for water, haul gear across snowfields, face biting winds and navigate vast, shifting glaciers. So far, teams from LKQ Euro Car Parts and Hella have signed up to take part and this will be the third ILC that Spencer Grinham, Sales Director at Hella, has taken on.

Matt Wigginton, Director of Growth & Development, said: "This may just be our most epic, and coolest, challenge yet! As with all ILC events, the main focus is on raising vital funds to support automotive industry people who are facing challenges that no-one should ever have to tackle alone.

“If you’re a leader in the automotive industry and you’ve ever been curious about what lies beyond your limits, this is your chance. The Glacier will be a challenge of endurance and personal growth, while raising money to support members of our automotive family who are struggling or in crisis.

"Now more than ever, automotive people need Ben – and we need you and your support. If you’re up for this once-in-a-lifetime challenge, then get in touch with me today!”

Register interest today
There are limited spaces available so, for more information about the event, or to register your interest, please contact Matt Wigginton: matt.wigginton@ben.org.uk

To date, the ILC has raised over £1.02million, and the impact continues to grow with every new expedition. The ILC is an epic personal challenge taken on each year by an automotive industry leader (or leaders) to fundraise for Ben. Previous ILC adventures have included swimming across the English Channel, skydiving, cycling down the Thames, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and trekking the Sahara Desert. The ILC requires extraordinary personal endeavour that tests the challenger(s) either mentally or physically - or both.

https://ben.org.uk/