The Team

Daryl Godfrey – Development & Training
Daryl began his career in the outdoors back in 1988 when for five winter seasons he worked as a member of ski staff for a British Tour operator in the European Alps.
Returning to life in Derbyshire, Daryl took up a position with the youth service establishing a successful outdoor education project before moving on to work in two respected outdoor education centres including White Hall (OEC)
More recently Daryl worked as an associate lecturer at the University of Derby, as a guide for a British Expedition company and continues to train and advise other outdoor organisations.
Daryl – has responsibility for safety management systems, staff training and business development.
Personal mountaineering & caving experience: Greenland, Pakistan, America, Tanzania, Morocco, Kenya, Jordan, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Iceland, Slovenia, Spain, Sardinia, Mallorca, Greece, Norway and the Outer Hebrides.

Qualifications: International Mountain Leader Award, Mountain Instructors Award, Mountain Leader Award (Summer and Winter).
Cave Instructors Certificate, Local cave and mine leader levels 1 & 2, Canoe Coach Level 1
BCA Approved Trainer and Assessor for the LCMLA scheme.
MLTE Approved Course provider for the Single Pitch Award (S P A) scheme.
Diploma in Youth and Community Work.

Sam Mitchell – Operations Manager
Sam began his career in the outdoors in 1986, during the early days Sam was engaged delivering development programmes to older teenagers and apprentices.
Continuing to use the outdoors to promote learning Sam became active working for a number of management training organisations and training colleges countrywide.
Drawn towards America by the climbing, Sam lived in San Francisco for two years enjoying California’s warmer climes and climbs.
Locally Sam was involved in the lobbying for and the design and establishment of a publicly funded indoor climbing facility, where he continues to coach young people from the surrounding community.
Prior to becoming a director at Acclimbatize Sam was engaged delivering adventurous project work to schools in the Derby City area. Sam is currently progressing through the Cave Instructors Certificate (C.I.C) scheme.
Sam brings a creative element to our team building courses and progresses many of our courses from the initial enquiry through planning to delivery. Having such an experienced and steady set of hands at the helm keeps the Acclimbatize ship
on course.

Personal Mountaineering & Caving Experience: Experience has been obtained in America, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Canada, Corsica, Mallorca, Sardinia and Switzerland.

Qualifications: Mountain Leader Award, Single Pitch Award, Cave Leader Levels 1 & 2, Industrial Rope Access Technician Level 2

Cynthia Bruce – Business Administrator

Cynthia has been involved with Acclimbatize since the business start up back in 1999.
Eventually persuaded away from her management job at a residential outdoor pursuit centre within the Peak District, Cynthia has kept the more delicate side of the business here in fine working order ever since.
Cynthias understanding of the adventure activity industry is first rate. Cynthia is extremely well organised and keeps the boys in the office on task and our freelance staff pool paid. All things financial or with risk of headache should be routed in this direction.

In a previous life Cynthia owned and managed a successful garden centre where she honed her business and administrative skills.
Away from the Acclimbatize office Cynthia is involved with local charity work and enjoys a flutter on the horses..

Peter Thorpe - Advisor

Pete has enjoyed a long and sucessful career in the outdoors. Formerly the outdoor education advisor to the Inner London Education Authority. Pete escaped to Derbyshire and was the architect behind the scenes for outdoor provision within the local Youth Service. In semi retirement he worked at White Hall Center and for at least 10 years has lead groups on expeditions to the developing world. Destinations include: Tanzania (Kilimanjaro), India Himalaya,ladakh, Nepal Himalaya, Bolivia, Venezuela, Uganda, Mongolia, China, Kenya and Tibet.
Petes exceptional expedition expertise alongside his backround in outdoor management place him first on the call list when advice or guidance is needed.

Pete has an honours Degree in Fine Art (London) and completed the Murray House course in Outdoor Education (Edinburgh) and attained both the Mountaineering Instructors Award (M.I.A) and the Winter Mountain Leaders Award (WML).
Pete has caved and climbed extensively throughout the UK and Europe and holds the Cave Leader Level 2. Petes more recent direction in life has seen him qualify as a Yoga teacher - He applies this craft to local climbers to maintain and improve their performance. See Yoga for Climbers on our website http://www.acclimbatize.co.uk/activities/yoga-for-climbers.htmll

Leon Zablocki - Core Freelance Team

Leon Zablocki was bought into the freelance team on a more regular basis in 2009, Leon works on a part time contract for the White Hall Centre in Buxton, Derbyshire. Previous positions have been held at outdoor pursuits centers in North Wales and the YHA in Edale.
Leons personal and professional experience are absolutely first rate! Leon has an easy going but entertaining personality making him and his approach very popular with a variety of our groups. His ability to subtley inspire people to achieve beyond their own expectations make his input on our developmental courses invaluable. Leons technical competence is also beyond question. An approved MLTE course Director, he is frequently involved with Acclimbatize training and assessment for the Single Pitch Award Scheme.
Outside work Leon writes songs and plays guitar for an elusive Punk Rock band…. Tramp Sandwich.
Qualifications: Mountain Instructors Certificate (M.I.C) Cave Leader Award Level 2, BCU level 2. Leon is qualified across the board and is progressing through the Cave Instructors Certificate (C.I.C) scheme.

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Ed Curry - Core Freelance Team

Ed Curry has become a regular fixture in our staff team over since 2008. Ed a qualified teacher graduated from the outdoor education degree course at John Moores University in Liverpool in 1997.
Before joining the Acclimbatize team, Ed ran a small outdoor education business in Merseyside, Ed used adventurous activities as a means of engaging youngsters who were already excluded from school or were considered at risk.
We have gained enormously from Ed’s skill set, not just as a teacher but also in delivering to young people with complex needs.
Ed is a dedicated career outdoor education tutor who has an evident commitment for giving excellent value for time. Customer feedback shows Ed's commitment to delivering quality courses and his ability to positively engage with challenging young people.

Qualifications: Mountain Leader Award, Single Pitch Award, Cave Leader Award.

Tom Monck - Core Freelance Team
Tom is an established player on the Peak District circuit with over 14 years experience of working with groups.
His career took off at a local outdoor activity centre in 1998 where he worked through a training post over 3 years.
&Tom has been involved with Acclimbatize since the start up. Although very experienced across the board with several foriegn caving trips and a number Alpine mountaineering trips to his credit, Tom's specialism is mountain bikes!
A trained bike mechanic, Tom can be found on his days off playing with spanners at Carsington bike hire or rebuilding engines. Tom regularly co ordinates courses for Acclimbatize and has a very holistic approach to outdoor education.
Visiting staff and participants alike appreciate the safe and caring approach he applies thoughout all activities with his teams.

He is currently progressing through the Cave Instructors scheme ( CIC )

Peter Montgomery - Advisor and Freelance Tutor

Pete is our watersports expert, he is a qualified teacher and a highly effective management trainer. Formerly Pete worked at 'Peak Training for Management' and has a genuine talent for drawing out learning opportunities from the activities we provide.
Pete's organisation is meticulous and his programmes are both coherent and tangible to the customer. Having a rich history of 'big' kayaking expeditions worldwide (Canada, New Zealand, America, Nepal, France, Spain, India) and with current coaching involvement with the British Canoe Polo Team is well placed to give realistic advice. Pete was formerly a top level competitor.

Max Holliday - Freelance

Max is a highly accomplished and well travelled mountaineer. He completed the Mountain Instructor Certificate (M.I.C) back in the 1980s.
Max is approved by MLTE (Mountain Leader Training England) to provide and direct the Mountain Leader Courses we offer here at Acclimbatize. He has an evident background in outdoor leadership development and a proven track record in management training stretching back years. His delivery style is very dynamic, high spirited and energising.
A qualified teacher, Max graduated from the Bangor University outdoor education course more years ago than he cares to remember! He currently works part time at White Hall OEC and freelances in with Acclimbatize for technical courses.
Max is highly qualified across all outdoor disiplines and remains a very active outdoor practitioner.
He has visited too many countries to list in the pursuit of mountaineering and kaying and has occasionally .....been seen overseas caving! - Is there a move over to the 'Dark Side'?

Chris Allwright

Chris is a qualified Business Coach, Counsellor and Tutor / Trainer specialising in Personal and Professional Development. He has over 15 years experience of working with individuals and groups in a wide range of settings, with people at all levels of responsibility, dealing with issues ranging from stress management, confidence, motivation, goal setting, problem solving and innovation, overcoming barriers to progression and managing relationships. He is a highly skilled facilitator and has taught at every level of education to post graduate level and has considerable experience in developing and implemented mentoring and coaching programmes. Chris has been involved with Acclimbatize since 2007, he is currently studying for a masters degree with a special interest in the use of outdoor education as a method of improving performance in individuals and teams.

Bespoke Team Building Events organised at your place of work

Trainee Instructor Opportunity Committed Person Required! Gain group experience and qualifications.

The Team

Activity Selector

Bespoke Team Building Events organised at your place of work

Trainee Instructor Opportunity Committed Person Required! Gain group experience and qualifications.