Joe joined British Exploring Society as CEO in 2026. He is incredibly passionate that young people from any background have the chance for exploration, whatever that means to them. It changed his life when he was younger and knows the powerful difference it can make for young people.
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He has had 24 years of experience working in charities supporting children, young people and their families in the UK to build better futures. Most recently the CEO of Buttle UK for seven years, Joe’s career includes senior positions at The King’s Trust, Action for Children, and Depaul UK. He is also a trustee of School Home Support and the former Chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition.
Drew joined British Exploring Society as Head of Expeditions in March 2025. He has been a full member of the Outdoor Education Advisors Panel (OEAP) since 2018. As a qualified Mountain Leader and outdoor instructor, Drew has lead a range of outdoor education programmes both nationally and internationally for schools, youth groups, churches, disability groups, social services schemes, and Princes’ Trust programmes. Has also lectured in outdoor education and worked as a youth worker. When he isn't in the office, Drew volunteers with Southwest Nottinghamshire Scouts.
Rebecca joined British Exploring Society in October 2021. She has worked in fundraising roles within the third sector since 2005, primarily working for medical research charities, before moving into the youth sector with roles at OnSide and the Peter Jones Foundation. Rebecca believes it is vital we offer young people opportunities to try something new, raise their aspirations and create a better future for themselves. As a fundraiser, Rebecca feels privileged to be able to connect people to a cause they are passionate about and show them the impact their support is making.
Olesya joined British Exploring Society in March 2024. Her previous roles were focused on environmental education, volunteering, and engagement of young people, primarily in the Arctic. Having seen first-hand how much young people benefit from learning about nature and exploring the outdoors, and from having someone believe in them and help them develop their skills, Olesya was drawn to British Exploring Society’s mission. And as someone who got to spend a lot of time in nature growing up in a remote town in Siberia, she loves that in this role she helps young people to have similarly unique experiences.
Joseph joined British Exploring Society in June 2025, bringing a background in digital strategy, CRM management, and systems automation. He’s passionate about creating smarter, more efficient systems that support people across all departments and help the organisation run smoothly. Outside of work, Joseph is rarely still for long – he rotates through a variety of hobbies, from hiking, cycling and marathon training to baking bread, fermenting hot sauces, and enjoying long board game sessions with friends.
Ned has worn many hats in his time with British Exploring Society. As well as overseeing all of our marketing, digital and creative media, Ned has also jumped in as an Adventure Leader on our expeditions. As a Mountain Leader, photographer and expedition guide, Ned has a background in creative and visual storytelling, expedition leadership and community organising.
Tom joined British Exploring Society in August 2024. He has more than ten years’ experience working in the Archive sector, museums, galleries, charities and two of the Landed Estates of London. While he is new to expeditions, he loves the past (an unavoidable fact of Archiving) and is helping us immensely in exploring and unpacking the rich and inspiring history behind British Exploring Society.
Laura absolutely believes in the transformative power of exploration and overseas experience on the development of young people, and was therefore over the moon to have been able to escape the city and grey suits to join our team in December 2015. At British Exploring Society Laura looks after the day to day finance matters.
Ransford joined British Exploring Society as Senior Finance Manager in June 2022, following various other roles in the charity sector (most recent being Finance manager at Hope Health Action. Ransford is a Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA fellow), Ransford also enjoys delivering accounting and finance training to fellow accountants. When he is not doing all things accounting, Ransford spend his free time playing the piano and supporting the best team in the premier league – Arsenal.
Catherine joined in September 2021 from a leading Scottish children’s charity. She has a Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and 18 years experience as a fundraiser, specialising in Trusts and Foundations, and feels very lucky to see kindness and generosity in action every day. Catherine has also volunteered with the University of Edinburgh careers service as a mentor, and served as Trustee of a local dementia charity.
Alfie joined British Exploring Society in March 2025. He previously worked in youth activism at Global Justice Now, and as a researcher on a number of academic research projects about anti-colonial history. He is interested in promoting equitable access to and participation in British Exploring Society's programmes, enabling young people from all backgrounds to experience adventure.
Lucy joined British Exploring Society as Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator in March 2024. She previously worked in academic publishing as an editor. In 2018, she went on expedition with us to the Canadian Yukon. Whilst at university, Lucy worked on outreach and access programmes, and she is excited to combine her enthusiasm for the outdoors with her passion for making experiences like British Exploring Society expeditions accessible to as many young people as possible. When she’s not working, you can usually find Lucy horse riding or at the theatre.
David joined British Exploring Society as Expeditions Manager in August 2024. David got hooked on the transformative power of adventure in 2009 after cycling 300 miles on a bicycle with no brakes. Before joining us (and after massively upgrading his cycle safety awareness) David spent three years with Thighs of Steel, developing and delivering bike expeditions, including a headline-grabbing world record attempt and Europe's longest charity bike ride: 5,400km through 11 countries between Glasgow and Athens.
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For the last four years, he has also been an outdoor instructor on youth expeditions with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, supporting 12–16 year olds working towards their Bronze and Silver awards. Previously, David worked as an environmental science journalist, a cycle messenger and co-writer of a successful comedy series for the BBC. He is unbelievably excited about helping Young Explorers embark on their own life-defining adventures.
Kirstie joined us in February 2022. Having spent most of her working life within the fashion industry, Kirstie embarked on a career change that greater aligned with her values and interests. Having been fortunate enough to travel to and volunteer with young people in various countries over the years, she feels incredibly grateful to have found a role that combines her two greatest passions: outdoor adventures and the empowerment of young people.
Xena joined British Exploring Society as Senior Expeditions Coordinator in March 2025. Their first taste of expeditions was as a young person through a voyage on STS Lord Nelson, and they have been a regular crew member on various tall ships across the world ever since.
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They spent 18 months travelling across US National Parks, New Zealand and Australia after the pandemic, pursuing outdoor adventure and volunteering on projects to aid conservation and increase young people’s connection with natural wonder. Their most recent role prior to joining us was as a Youth Worker in South Yorkshire. When not working, Xena can usually be found on/in/under water, or researching historical polar exploration.
James joined British Exploring as Operations Manager in 2011. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a Leading Practitioner of the Institute for Outdoor Learning and has a long career in expedition leadership and management. James has since taken on the role of Expedition Training and leadership Advisor and is responsible for advising on appropriate leadership recruitment and skills for our trainee leaders and Leaders, as well as the development of leadership training resources.
Tony Harpur joined British Exploring as Archivist Assistant in 2014. He worked as an oil trader and Arabist in the oil industry for Shell, BP and Vitol for 33 years. Since retiring in 2011, he has gained a Mountain Leader qualification and been a Leader on a number of our expeditions.