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!
Charity Partnerships
Judy Baigent - Charity Accounts Officer
Judy looks after all our open charity partners, helping them to get their supporters on board and advising them on all our amazing adventures – and our charities couldn’t be in better hands!
After starting out with a degree in Fashion at Manchester University, Judy realised it wasn’t the direction for her and spent 30 years working in Customer Care within various organisations. An opportunity to trek the Sahara Desert for a local children’s hospice (Claire House) ignited her passion for adventure, and Judy realised that by leaving her comfort zone and being stripped of all creature comforts and challenging herself in ways she never thought possible, she could make a huge difference!
Judy has now trekked the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Grand Canyon, the Inca Trail, climbed Kilimanjaro, walked the Great Wall of China, cycled Vietnam to Cambodia, ran the London Marathon, sledded across Sweden, abseiled, and even jumped out of a plane! To date she’s raised a massive £60,000 for Claire House and is always on the lookout for fun new ways to fundraise and new challenges to undertake, that will take her out of her comfort zone, give her goosebumps, and leave her with a huge sense of achievement.
Working with so many amazing charities and enabling their supporters to take on challenges they never thought possible, and in turn raising thousands of pounds for their charities enabling to continue their vital support – this is Judy’s dream job!
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!
Emma Jones - Marketing Officer
Emma joined the team in September 2024 with over 15 years experience in marketing. Emma has a passion for adventure and loves a challenge. In particular Emma enjoys hiking around the mountains in north Wales and road cycling. Emma has completed many challenges including the Coast to Coast bike ride and the Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge.
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.
Kate Rushton – Finance Officer
As our Finance Officer, Kate has the essential job of dealing with all things invoicing for our challenge events – not an enviable task! Kate is passionate about dance and interior design, and loves to travel the world and experience different cultures.