Rob’s love of the outdoors began at school, where a strong culture of outdoor education meant he spent every New Year’s holiday standing on the summit of Snowdon—whatever the weather.
Growing up in the South West, this early enthusiasm led to caving in the Mendip Hills, climbing in the Avon Gorge, and his first trips to the Alps.
After university, Rob began his professional career as a teacher, working in secondary schools and in outdoor centres run by local authorities and a charitable provider. Over the years he has held a wide range of roles, including schoolteacher, youth worker, head of centre, local authority adviser, and freelance AALS inspector in the North West.
In the mid‑eighties, Rob attended Charlotte Mason College, where he was influenced by the work of Colin Morlock. Following this, he was given the opportunity to establish a residential outdoor education centre focused on enriching the curriculum through meaningful outdoor experiences.
Rob has long been an active member of organisations supporting outdoor educators, including AHOEC, OEAP, IOL, AMI, and ACI. Until recently, he served on the board of Mountain Training England and delivered training and assessment courses.
His outdoor experience is extensive and international. Rob has climbed throughout the UK, the Alps, South America, and Africa; led canoe expeditions in Canada; explored caves across the UK, Europe, and Asia; and spends much of each winter ski mountaineering and climbing in the Alps. His latest passion is sea kayaking.
Rob holds a first degree in Education, a Postgraduate Certificate in Outdoor Education, and high‑level technical awards in mountaineering, caving, and canoeing.
