Directors

Peter Robinson and Matt Rushton – Company Directors

Pete and Matt first met whilst both working together at a fundraising organisation way back in 1999. Between them, they have over 35 years fundraising and event experience. They both have independent skills which, when combined make the perfect recipe for running Global Adventure Challenges.

Pete has spent his entire professional career working in fundraising and events, with his first job being at the tender age of 19! Pete was the very first member of staff at Global Adventure Challenges and has witnessed the calendar of events grow from just 6 per year to now over 130. An encyclopedia of all things relating to the fundraising challenge event market, his enthusiasm is infectious. Still keeping his finger on the pulse, Pete can often be seen completing the odd challenge now and then. Pete oversees the sales, marketing, charity and corporate account side of the business.

Matt heads up the operational side of the business having worked in donor development and donor recruitment, previous to Global Adventure Challenges. Bringing together the elements of challenge events takes great care, planning, management and skill. Together with his team of managers, you’re in fantastic hands - from the support of the Customer Care Team to the logistical planning of flights, ground-handling and UK challenges.

Operations

Craig Wilson - Operations Manager

Craig joined the team in November 2014 and brought with him a wealth of experience, previously working in the outdoor sector as an instructor and manager. He is highly passionate about all things 'outdoor' and has a strong, positive “can do” attitude. Craig heads up the Operations team at Global Adventure Challenges which means he oversees all the behind the scenes responsibilities (this is a LONG list) for all our challenges in the UK, Europe and worldwide. Along with the rest of the GAC team he works tirelessly in the background ensuring everything is sorted before you embark on your challenge of a lifetime!

Jen Maitland-Jones – Flights & Ground Handling Manager

From starting in the travel industry way back in Laker Airways days Jen has experienced most of everything in travel and now heads our Flights & Ground Handling Department that looks after all of the logistical/operational side of our overseas challenges from booking all flights and organising the ground handlers throughout the world to placing and briefing our Challenge Leaders and Doctors that accompany our participants on their trip. A mammoth of a task she takes on with many a weird quip in her usual dry scouse sense of humour! Just don’t upset her by mentioning Man. United in the same sentence as her beloved Liverpool Football Club! 

Matthew Dutton – Events Officer

Matt graduated from university with a degree in Sports Event Management and holds over 8 years of experience working within the events industry specialising in team building and the corporate sector. He has a real passion for both travel and sports and outside of work he can be often found on a football field or a squash court!

Customer Care

Ceri Ward – Customer Care Manager

Ceri’s personality is as sunny as the tops she wears! Her background in fundraising, having worked previously for a children’s charity, means that she knows exactly what it’s like to be involved in charity challenges from all angles. Her expertise and enthusiasm mean that she’s an integral member of staff and indispensable to the Customer Care Team. When Ceri’s not responding to queries or helping participants on their overseas challenges, you can catch her at a gig or jetting off to some of her favourite cities.

Kate Rushton – Customer Care Officer

Working part time for the customer care department, Kate processes all of the participant registrations and ensures that welcome packs are received for the challenge. Kate is passionate about dance and interior design, and loves to travel the world and experience different cultures. 

Sales

Richard Lupton - Head of Client Accounts

Heading up our team of Charity Account Managers is our cheeky Yorkshire man, Rich. He and the team are incredibly passionate about their work, providing exceptional support to our charity partners. He loves working with our charities, and their supporters, who embark on life-changing challenge events in the UK and overseas.

Rich’s time at Global Adventure Challenges has seen him trek through the Sahara Desert and the Nepalese Himalayas. He is a keen cook and spends his spare time trying to emulate the cuisine experienced on his adventures. His role allows him to combine a passion for marketing and travel, and to increase the number of people raising funds for good causes, across the UK.

Marketing

Georgina Lacey – Marketing Manager

When Georgina's not shouting about how amazing our challenges are you'll find her nose deep in an adventure travel magazine or scrolling through Lonely Planet - with a real passion for travel and adventure that inspires her work everyday. Outside of the office Georgina is a motorsport enthusiast - her interest in motorsports drove her to study Motorsport and Design at university before going on to study for a masters in Marketing. George has recently taken on our Great Wall of China Trek - and loved every minute!

Finance

Mike Robinson - Finance Controller

Mike is the "senior citizen" of our team and is responsible for the maintenance of the financial records and accounts of the business. He's an early bird and usually in the office at the crack of dawn. Mike is a retired local government accountant but is finding a new lease of life with Global.