Leadership Team
Bert Park - Operations Director / International Mountain Leader / Expedition manager
Bert is our Operations Director, he retired as a teacher in 2018 and previously served for 24 years in the armed forces working on helicopters, he has been actively involved in outdoor education for over 30 years.
Bert helped coordinate DofE for 6 years for a school. He is passionate about young people learning through outdoor experiences and has extensive experience of leading expeditions both in the UK (for DofE) and overseas. He has led expeditions to Madagascar, Peru, Venezuala, Vietnam, Cambodia, Zambia, South Africa, Equador & the Galapagos Islands, Norway, and Morocco. He completed the Tour du Mont Blanc, and the Wainright coast to coast walk with his wife Rika.
Qualifications:
- International Mountain Leader Award (IML)
- Winter Mountain Leader
- Summer Mountain Leader
- QTS teacher
- DofE Assessor
- DofE Supervisor
- PADI Rescue Diver
- Bushcraft Instructor
- Course Trainer - Countryside Leader Award
- Outdoor 1st Aid Certificated
Director responsibilities:
- Overall responsibility for all DofE based Expeditions
- AAP Manager (DofE)
- AALA licence
- Manages Freelance Staff
- Insurance
- Risk assessments / Safety
- Operating Procedures (on the ground)
Hannah Mitchell - Business Director & CIC Company Secretary
Hannah has a long history with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Outdoor Education, having worked as a County DofE Manager for 10 years and a local authority Trips & Visits Advisor for 2 years. She went on to work for the NHS in Suffolk and Essex as an Operations Manager during COVID and took part in the vaccination program.
Her passion will always be for the DofE and she continues to believe in its core principles and objectives. " I love to watch young people grow in the award and am always happy to spend time chatting with a client about specific needs and requirements. Whether you use our company or not, for me it's about sharing good practice and pointing people in the right direction - that shouldn't cost anything".
You will find Hannah in the office, on the end of a phone or answering emails. She starts every day walking in the beautiful Suffolk coastline and forests with her four legged companion Ben.
Director Responsibilities:
- Day to day running of the company
- Welcomes new and existing clients
- Processes new freelance staff
- Bookings
- Finance / Accountants
- Companies House & HMRC
- Payroll
- Website & social media
- Policy and safeguarding
- Emergency contact
Qualifications:
- BELA walking qualification
- DofE Assessor
- DofE Supervisor
Steve Bright - Expedition Manager
Steve joined our leadership team for the 2023 season as a Expedition Manager and Senior Leader. He has worked for other DofE AAPS since his retirement, and comes with experience to help grow our team and services. Steve will be responsible for working alongside our Operations Director and working with clients from across East Anglia and Essex on Silver and Bronze Expeditions. He holds a Countryside Leader Award and is a DofE Assessor.
Steve is a retired Police Officer from Suffolk Constabulary with 27 years service and one of the nicest and most sincere people you can meet. He has a passion for helping disadvantaged young people and understands the importance of engaging with them early on. On retirement, he entered the Duke of Edinburgh's family and has picked up numerous qualifications and led expeditions, making new friends and colleagues along the way.
Steve is a long-distance runner and competed in nearly 700 races including ultras, marathons and half marathons, including the notorious Death Valley Marathon in America as one of only two Brits.
Steve says about himself and his outdoor experience "If I haven't run it, I might have walked it" .
Jay Freeman - Expedition Manager
Jay joins our leadership team for the 2024 season as an Expedition Manager and Senior Leader. He comes with a breadth of experience working with disadvantaged young people and those struggling with social and behavioural needs.
Having completed walking and outdoor qualifications, Jay joined the DofE family 10 yrs ago where he has helped to run the Award for Schools and Pupil Referral Units in Essex. He firmly believes that strength of character is found the outdoors, and is the best place for any young person to find direction, enabling success and self-belief.
During his Army career, Jay spent a lot of time in the Hills around the UK, since leaving the army, he took part in many charity running events, along with long-distance loaded marches for both Army and Police charities.
Jay will be engaging with our London and Essex clients, and supporting our Operations Director to deliver success to smaller schools and groups on their expedition experience. He holds a BELA Award and is a qualified DofE Assessor.
"The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a great stepping stone to becoming self-sufficient, independent and ultimately to enjoy adventure and discovery".
Lloyd Lester - Expedition Manager
Lloyd joins our leadership team for the 2024 season as an Expedition Manager and Senior Leader. Having working in the telecommunications industry most of his life, he joined the Army reserves as a radio relay operator.
Lloyd went onto volunteer in the Army Cadet Force (ACF) as a Company DofE Officer coordinating, leading, organising staff and young people in all aspects of the DofE program. Lloyd is an exceptional trainer with a working knowledge of the DofE Framework from Bronze through to Gold level.
Lloyd has experience of working with disadvantaged and special needs children, helping them achieve their DofE awards at all levels. He has an absolute passion for the outdoors and loves to inspire young people to push themselves out of their comfort zones, and become the best they can be.
During his time with the ACF, Lloyd won the Quaich Trophy for the best DofE program in the ACF, and was awarded the commandant’s coin for commitment towards the DofE Program.
Lloyd holds a MTA Hill and Moorland Leader, MTA Camping Leader, NNAS Gold Navigation award, NNAS Tutor Award, CWI Climbing wall Instructor and a Full FAW & Tourniquet 1st aid qualification. He is a a trained DofE Supervisor and carries an assessor badge for every level of the Award.
RikA Park - Senior Leader
Rika joined the team in 2019 as an Expedition Leader, bringing with her a love for the outdoors accompanied with some seriously impressive organisational skills. She holds a Countryside Leader Award and is a DofE Supervisor & Assessor. She joined the DofE family as a school volunteer and has a wealth of experience working with young people on DofE events.
In 2022 she took on the role of "kit person" and organises, maintains and runs our extensive store of equipment which includes participant kit hire.
As a keen walker, she has completed the Tour Du Mont Blanc and Wainwrights Coast to Coast walks self-guided. Her love for Ballroom dancing is infectious and she can be found with her husband and dancing partner Bert training and preparing for competition (she even makes all her own dresses). When she isn't busy doing all of the above Rika loves spending time with her grandchildren and family.
Did I add she also makes the expedition cake..................
Sarah Owen - Senior Leader
Sarah joined the team in 2022, whilst working for another DofE provider. She has a calm, supportive and nurturing nature and works well with participants who need additional assistance, patience and encouragement.
Sarah holds a Countryside Leader Award and is a lover of all things outdoors, enjoying the odd Marathon and long distance race. She runs her own successful gardening business, spends time abroad on walking holidays, enjoys music and spending time with her grown up children.
Kelvin Ives - Senior Leader
Kelvin has over 30 years experience of working with young people and adults as a senior youth leader and commanding officer in a uniformed youth organisation. He holds a Walking Group Leader qualification and is a DofE Assessor.
Having completed successful careers within the public and private sector, Kelvin moved into secondary and further education as a lecturer and teacher. He is passionate about providing opportunities for young people to grow, learn and develop in the outdoors to become more confident or simply have a great time.
Kelvin's calm, positive nature and teaching experience means he is a favourite choice for organisations. He has walked in Iceland, New Zealand, Maderia, Western and Eastern Canada, around the UK, and Germany; his favourite place is the Highlands of Scotland from Ullapool up to Cape Wrath.
Our "steady hand" lives in rural Suffolk with his family and lovely dog Dan.