Staff Profiles | The Exploration Company

Philip Beale Managing Director 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.