Mat helps with our leader selection, training and assessment, as well sharing expertise on various aspects of our mountain related procedures. He has worked in the Outdoors for almost 20 years, focussing on delivering training and leading teams in mountain, desert and polar environments. He has wintered in Antarctica as a Field Guide, and led expeditions in South America and the Himalaya.
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Mat has been involved with delivery of Adventurous Training for the military in the both the UAE/Oman and in the UK, as well as delivering numerous Mountain Training qualification courses. Outside of professional roles, he is a keen climber, and has enjoyed trips climbing all over the world, including Namibia, Morocco, Yosemite, Syria and Alaska. Mat holds the following qualifications: Mountaineering Instructors Certificate (now WMCI), Mountaineering Instructors Award (now MCI), Winter Mountain Leader (WML), Summer Mountain Leader (SML) and Single Pitch Award (Now RCI) and is a member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) and an Approved Practitioner on the Institute for Outdoor Learning (APIOL).
Dr Lucy Obolensky MBChB MRCS MCEM MRCGP MScSEM DTM&H FBES FRGS is a portfolio career doctor specialising in remote and global medicine. When in the UK Lucy works clinically as an Emergency Medicine staff grade and GP and is currently working as a PHEM doctor with the Devon Air Ambulance. In her academic career Lucy is the programme lead for the Global and Remote Healthcare Masters at Plymouth University. Lucy supports British Exploring Society by providing advice and consultancy to both the organisation and our Expedition Medics.
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The rest of Lucy’s time is spent working overseas, either in a global health or expedition environment. Lucy has worked in Global Health for over 15 years, having completed a post graduate qualification in International Health Consultancy. Lucy works with governments and NGOs to achieve a holistic approach to health system strengthening, locally and globally. An expedition medic throughout her career, Lucy has worked with a multitude of groups and individuals ranging from youth groups to BBC film crews and Sir David Attenborough. Lucy has a passion for education and believes in sharing knowledge and skills that impact on daily practice. She regularly teaches remote medicine courses at the Royal Geographical Society and gives motivational lectures at a variety of medical schools, universities and companies, combining her academic background with personal experience in the field. Her professional memberships and qualifications include: Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 2007; Member of the Royal College Emergency Medicine 2011; Member of the Royal college of General Practitioners 2013; Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society 2015; Fellow of British Exploring Society 2018; Professional Certificate International Health Consultancy LSTM 2014; Masters in Sports and Exercise Medicine Cardiff Metropolitan University 2011; Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene LSHTM 2005.
James is a highly experienced, award winning and trusted expedition professional, designing, preparing, providing safety advice and leading expeditions, alongside continuing to practice as an adventurer and explorer in his own right, staying true to his original passion for exploring remote wildernesses. James supports us by providing technical advice and consultancy for all expeditions in jungle environments, our operational planning, our safety management protocols, and advises on leader recruitment & training including technical competence assessments.
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James is a former Operations Manager at British Exploring Society and continues to be involved in the organisation as a Chief Leader and Adviser, supporting the Society’s work in transforming and educating future generations. Over the course of his career James has undertaken expeditions to all corners of the globe, leading many of these with scientists, film crews, students and adventure tourists in some of the remotest and wildest places on the planet, developing his passion for wildlife, exploration and wilderness areas. James believes that challenging expeditions are powerful mediums to help educate and inspire, and that they can be drivers to support environmental, conservation and social justice agendas. James is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS), a Leading Practitioner of the Institute of Outdoor Learning (LPIOL), has won several notable awards for his expeditions and holds a range of mountaineering, mountain biking and paddlesport qualifications. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society; Leading Practitioner of the Institute of Outdoor Learning; Member of the Arctic Club; Summer Mountain Leader (SML); Winner: RAF Air Cadet Shackleton Trophy for Best Expedition; Winner: Ulysses Trust Best Cadet Expedition; Winner: 2018 British Exploring Society, Les Morgan Award Winner for Best Leader.
Nigel is one of the most experienced, influential and highly respected outdoor professionals in the industry. Nigel’s career began in the military with notable roles including Chief Instructor at mountain training bases, and Base Commander on South Georgia. It was with the military that Nigel realised his passion for instructing and he subsequently held the role of Head of Training at Glenmore Lodge, the National Outdoor Training Centre, for 20 years. Nigel supports us by providing advice and consultancy with respect to cold environments and is working with us on our expedition to Lake Baikal, Siberia.
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Nigel has undertaken countless mountaineering and exploratory expeditions all over the world, including in the Himalayas, Alaska and Greenland, and is particularly fond of cold places, whether on foot or skis. He has worked with a wide variety of organisations and industry bodies throughout his career to promote provision, training and education in the outdoors. Nigel’s recent ventures include supporting The Polar Academy, an innovative programme including an expedition to Greenland, which enables secondary school children to ‘redefine their physical and mental limits’. His qualifications and achievements include: Mountain Instructor Certificate (MIC); International Mountain Leader (IML); Mountain Ski Leader (MSL); BASI 2 Nordic Mountain Safety Level 3; DoE Gold Assessor; National Navigation Award tutor trainer; Course Director for summer, winter and international mountain leader awards; Expeditions: 8 x Himalayas, 10 x Greenland, Iceland, Alaska, South Georgia, Morocco, Alps & Pyrenees, extensive Nordic ski touring.
Chris is a dedicated outdoor enthusiast and a highly experienced & respected educator and paddlesport coach. Chris is a Lecturer at the University of Highlands & Islands in Scotland and has previously worked as an outdoor and adventure education instructor in the UK, across Europe and the US. Chris supports British Exploring Society by providing technical advice and consultancy with respect to water safety and paddle (canoeing & kayaking) activities. Chris supports our operational planning and safety management protocols, advises on leader recruitment & training including technical competence assessments.
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As an outdoor instructor in America, Chris worked with Colorado Outward Bound School and also worked with 'young people at risk' on the outskirts of New York, using adventure education to successfully establish an alternative education programme for young people previously unable to sustain mainstream school. Chris has worked extensively in Further and Higher Education and was instrumental in the development of the Degree in Outdoor & Adventure Education at the University of Chichester. He contributes to the applied aspects of adventure provision, including subjects such as adventure sports coaching & performance, expedition skills & philosophy, and pedagogical skills. An all-rounder in the water, Chris is a highly accomplished and qualified paddler across multiple disciplines. He contributes to the development of coach education and the technical committee for British Canoeing. In recent years he has enjoyed trips surfing along the west coast of Europe and North Africa, as well as white water paddling and rafting in Bosnia, the European Alps, Grand Canyon and Himalaya. Qualifications & achievements include: British Canoeing Coach Educator; Level 5 Coach – Advanced Leader Award Assessor; Level 4 Coach Inland Kayak; Level 3 Coach Open Canoe; Sea Kayak Leader; White Water Safety & Rescue Course Provider; RYA Safety Boat Driver; Single Pitch Supervisors Award; Mountain Leader Certificate (Summer)
