Meet Our Team

Geoff has held leadership roles in international manufacturing operations, education and insurance businesses and is an energetic and experienced qualified Chartered Accountant. Having operated previously in Managing Director and Finance Director roles, Geoff has strong commercial credentials. He manages the overall operations and resources of the Trust and is responsible to the Board of Trustees. With four children, he has a strong interest in sport and the outdoors.

Gareth has a degree in Sport & Exercise Development and is a qualified Personal Trainer, as well as a Sports & Massage Therapist. Having spent 20 years in the optical industry, Gareth currently works as a driving instructor in the Durham area. As he spends the majority of his day sitting in the car, Gareth is keen to get moving when not at work. A passionate walker, he likes to take part in longer endurance events and exploring the outdoors. Gareth currently leads walks with the Consett Hiking Group. 

Ed enjoys the physical and mental challenge of pushing the limits and has competed in several fell-running and ultra-marathon events. Ed decided to become a UK Mountain Leader to share his passion for the mountains and has subsequently led a number of climbing and hiking trips. While studying Engineering at the University of Cambridge, Ed tries to escape to the hills whenever possible and occasionally sleeps on a local hill to deal with his withdrawal symptoms.

Born in Yorkshire, and having spent many years working in some of the most deprived areas of the UK, Andy has always loved the countryside. Andy recently set up his own mountain guiding business with his youngest daughter. It pioneers wellbeing walks and combines their love of the outdoors with helping people on their journey through life. Andy believes strongly in the amazing benefits to physical and mental health that the great outdoors can bring. 

Having spent twenty years as a teacher and outdoor education provider, Keiron set up the Consett Hiking Group. He has written two books about his own experiences around walking and mental health. Keiron is responsible for delivery of the Trust's practical and educational programmes and will lead The Big Smile, the charity's annual summer campaign of guided fundraising walks to generate money to buy walking boots for local school children. As a new father to baby Noah, Keiron now certainly has his hands full!

Denise is a very experienced primary school headteacher. A local lass, Denise loves the outdoors and in her free time enjoys a wide range of interests including walking, cycling and climbing mountains. Her mantra "try new things" has led her to experience coasteering, paragliding, rowing, paddle boarding, sausage making and most recently bungee boogie! As the "most capped" participant of last year's campaign, Denise is looking forward to meeting everyone on this year's walks.

Working as a lawyer for ten years in mental health and human rights, Felicity went on to complete a psychology degree to continue work in mental health but with a new psychological hat on. She is passionate about the positive impact that being in nature can have on the mind and body, together with the power of connecting with others during that experience. Felicity is mostly found outdoors climbing, swimming, running, mountaineering, sea kayaking or just gently walking and exploring. She’s a trainee Mountain Leader and Sea Kayak Leader.

After almost twenty years as a project manager for branding and design companies, Ben turned his attention to his active and sporting interests and now works for himself as a sports therapist. As a keen cyclist and hill walker, he has competed in regional cycle races, completed a host of challenge events and is currently completing his UK Mountain Leader qualification. Ben has been a key committee member of Blaydon Cycle Club for the past eight years, providing group events from route planning to event organisation and ride leading. 

Daniella joined the team in 2021. She is studying for a degree in Psychology with Counselling, as well as getting involved in the Charity's projects. A seasoned mountaineer and UK Mountain Leader, she has recently co-founded a mountain guiding business and is an active Duke of Edinburgh expedition supervisor. She delights in providing people of all backgrounds and ages with the resources and skills to enjoy the benefits of human connection outdoors.  

Andrew is passionate about volunteering and is a chair of 1st Framwellgate Moor Scout Group as well as Vice Chair of St Margaret’s School in Durham. He is a practising solicitor and has lived in the North East for the last 25 years. He enjoys the outdoors and meeting new people.