Dave is a highly experienced expedition leader with over 30 years of climbing in the mountains including some of the highest in the world. His expertise was developed serving in the Armys’ Physical Training Corps, leading personnel within the British Services. This included extensive work with elite units such as the Special Air Service (SAS) and during his 24 year Army career Dave served as Senio
r Instructor in mountain centre’s around the world. With numerous expeditions to his name, including 13 to the Himalayas, Dave has developed a strong understanding of what it takes to lead high performance teams in challenging situations. He continues to be involved in organising and leading expeditions. In 2006 Dave led a team of elite climbers on a groundbreaking expedition aiming to become the first British team to climb the formidable and rarely attempted West Ridge of Mount Everest. Dave conceived, planned and led the expedition as well as being a strong member of the climbing team himself. One of the mountains most difficult and dangerous routes, the West Ridge is a steep and narrow ridge of rock and ice where climbers are exposed to freezing high winds for the entire route. Only dedicated teamwork, effective leadership and determination gave the team any chance of success. This highly publicised expedition earned Dave an MBE, presented by the Queen, for his outstanding leadership. It was also filmed for the most successful recruiting campaign the Army has ever done and a televised documentary; Everest: Man v. Mountain. He has since contributed to and edited a book; Mountaineering: Training and Preparation, published by Human Kinetics. To find out more click here
Dave left the Army in 2008 and after a 2 year stint working in the Alps, he joined Carnegie Great Outdoors at Leeds Beckett University. Currently the Outdoor Development Manager he is involved in a wide variety of work including being the Head of Training and Development for The Royal British Legions’ Battle Back Centre; a £30 million 10 year project delivering outdoor adventurous activities and adaptive sport to wounded, injured and sick service personnel. This is a unique project that Dave has been involved in since its conception in 2011 and he has the privilege of recruiting and managing the team of specialist coaches who deliver the programme’s. Dave is also involved in delivering experiential leadership and team development programme’s to a variety of clients ranging from internally within the University to global organisations. Dave is an inspirational speaker who focuses on the theme of expedition leadership, effective teamwork and the pressures of decision-making in high risk and remote situations.
