Meet the Trustees

Alistair Cole FRGS FLS 

Chairman

After a decade with the military, Alistair specialised in working in remote overseas project management as a medical and risk mitigation instructor, before returning to the UK and founding a training organisation. As a qualified Mountain Leader, Alistair has led over 40 overseas expeditions, holds numerous NEBOSH and CIEH safety qualifications, is an instructor in Off-Site Safety Management and is an experienced Trauma Medic. Alistair advised the media on overseas safety alongside advising travel organisations on strategy and safety. Alistair is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Linnaean Society, previous Vice Chairman of the Expedition Providers Association and is a guest lecturer at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. 

James Sawyer FRGS CGEOG 

Trustee

James currently works as Head of Disaster Management for the WSPA. Prior to this James had worked as the Director of Operations two international NGO’s and as an Expedition Leader and Project Manager on 12 expeditions and in over 40 countries. During his time in this field James has been heavily involved in the development of Health and Safety and technical standards. James is also an explorer and recently led a team on the first scientific exploration of the interior of the North Negros Natural Park in 2009 and a follow up expedition in 2012. James is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Chartered Geographer.

Rowena Cole MBA 

Trustee

After leaving Exeter University with a degree in Biological Sciences, Rowena went on to do a PGCE at Reading. She spent three years in the maintained sector and during this time took on the role of DofE Coordinator, widening its appeal to incorporate a much greater range of students. She went on to become a school programme coordinator, facilitating an expedition to Tanzania, before moving into the independent sector. Having worked on both sides of the education system she is aware of the pressures that now exist when organising any activity for young people. 

Ian Forbes FRGS 

Trustee

Ian served for over 25 years with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He is an experienced and highly qualified Mountain Leader, having led over 50 overseas expeditions to date and is also a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Ian is an overseas safety advisor to the BBC and has coordinated logistics and security on programmes such as SAS are you tough enough and Human planet. He is an Off-Site Safety Management instructor, RLSS National Water Safety Management Instructor, 4x4 instructor, qualified Wilderness Medical Technician and holds numerous safety and auditing qualifications.

Jan-Willem van Bochove BSc MSc FRGS 

Trustee

Originally from Holland, Jan-Willem grew up around the world before working for an international NGO as the Head of Science. With an MSc in Marine Biology from the University of Groningen, Jan-Willem has 10 years experience in developing and leading scientific research expeditions to the Philippines, Egypt, Trinidad & Tobago and Cambodia. He currently works in scientific policy making for the United Nations.