Philip has been passionate about adventure travel since his early
schools which culminated in him winning a place on
Operation Drake at 17 to visit Fiji and Papua New
Guinea. He then read Politics at Hull
University and joined the Royal Navy to pursue his
interest in maritime exploration. He is a keen
adventurer and traveller with has a special
interest in historic “Kon Tiki” type expeditions.
In 2003/04 Philip organised and led the building
of a replica replica of an ancient Indonesian ship
and sailing it across the Indian Ocean, around the
Cape of Good Hope to West Africa. This project,
known as the Borobudur Ship Expedition (www.borobudurshipexpedition.com)
was successfully directed & completed in March
2004. Following the successful conclusion of the
expedition Philip was awarded a state medal for
Services to Indonesian Culture by the President of
the Republic of Indonesia.
He is RYA qualified and commercially endorsed
yacht master and currently leading Phoenicia
an historic sailing expedition recreating the
first circumnavigation of Africa -further details
can be found at
www.phoenicia.org.uk.
When he is not in some remote location he focuses
on the company's office work! He lives near
Lulworth Cove, Dorset where the company's
offices are based.
Nigel Gifford OBE Frgs Expert Advisor
Nigel was the original founder of the company and
is now a consultant to the company advising
on all aspects of school and corporate
expeditions. He is also one of Britain's most
seasoned mountaineers. Amongst his Himalayan climbs are expeditions to Mt Everest, Nuptse South Face, Himal Chuli and an alpine style ascent of Hanuman Tibba. Nigel is also an accomplished skydiver with over 1,000 freefall descents.
In 2005 he took a team to raft the Great Gorge of the Brahmaputra River in the Tribal Areas of NE India, making the third ever descent of this part of the "Everest amongst rivers".
A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, where he has lectured on expedition and adventure topics, his recently published book The Adventurous Traveller, co-written with Richard Madden, Travel Editor of the Daily Telegraph, is the undisputed bible of adventure travel planning.
Nigel doesn't have a favorite place, as long as its adventure then Nigel will be there!
Laurenne Mansbridge Operations Director
Laurenne manages the expedition organisation and
amongst many other things is responsible for our
relationships with our clients and overseas
agents. She is involved in all aspects of the
running of the expeditions and the company.
Laurenne is a keen sailor, hiker, birdwatcher
and diver and has recently returned from a long
term sailing adventure.
Please feel free to call into the office with
any questions as she is always happy to offer
expert advice and information on your
requirements.
Adrian Gray Director
A
veteran of over 45 tours and expeditions.
Adrian has led more than 400 people in 20
different countries, including the jungles of
Sulawesi, Sumatra, Madagascar, northern Vietnam
and the Mollucas to name a few (getting every
single traveller home safely).
He is also an experienced mountain trekker,
having worked in the Indian Himalayas, the
volcanoes of Indonesia and the ranges of Alaska.
Always on the lookout for new adventures and
challenges, Adrian loves his job as an expedition
leader. His years of experience, combined with his
sense of humour and love of adventure, mean he's
made of the "right stuff" for this demanding role.
Born in Bristol, he now spends his time at home
by the sea in Dorset and in remote parts of the
world leading groups and designing new
expeditions.
A good water-skier, paraglider, snowboarder and
recreational surfer, he also has a passion for
nature, an interest in geology, loves kite flying
and has a bit of a liking for Somerset cider.