About us

Download our Annual Report

Our Trustees

Charles Philipps, Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Charles Philipps trained as a chartered accountant and then moved into investment banking. He was instrumental in the formation of Amlin plc of which he was Chief Executive from 1999 until 2018. He served on the Council of Lloyd’s and was President of the Insurance Institute of London. He is also the senior independent director of Great Portland Estates plc. He became a Trustee in December 2010.

HRH Princess Beatrice

In March 2019 HRH Princess Beatrice joined our board of Trustees. Her Royal Highness is also Patron of a number of organisations and focuses the majority of her charitable work around children’s welfare and education, bringing a wealth of experience in these areas to Outward Bound.

David Hempleman-Adams

David was CEO of a chemical manufacturing business but his passion is exploration. He is globally recognised for his world records and innovations in mountaineering, polar exploration, aviation and sailing, and has supported many scientific expeditions in polar regions. David founded the Youth Adventure Trust in 1992 to enable disadvantaged young people to participate in expeditions, and Wicked Weather Watch in 2005 to educate schoolchildren about climate change. He is a retired trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and of St John Ambulance.

Julia Abel

Julia is an experienced economic and social development professional with over 25 years in leadership roles within the voluntary sector and academia. Her experience includes CEO of an Economic Development Agency, working as an Academic for the Scottish Poverty Information Unit. Passionate about addressing inequalities through local sustainable action she believes that wherever you start from you should get a fair chance to enjoy a happy, healthy life free from poverty or disadvantage.

Ian Ashman

Ian Ashman has substantial experience of the delivery of high-quality education and of meeting employers’ skills needs, having been a Principal and senior manager in two successful London colleges for over 20 years and a past President of the Association of Colleges. Now retired from full time employment, he works as an executive coach and skills adviser. Ian was appointed a Trustee of The Trust in 2013.

Youlande Harrowell

Youlande is an experienced senior leader having led several successful Sixth Forms across London, the Midlands and the South Coast in areas of high deprivation. She is Co-Director of Mindful Equity UK CiC in which she consults on matters surrounding racial and gender equity within education from primary through to higher education. Youlande was appointed a Trustee of The Trust in 2021.

Nicholas Gair MBE

Nick is the author of the textbook Outdoor Education: Theory and Practice and has published many papers and articles in the educational press. He was previously Chief Executive of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, and a Visiting Professor to the School of Sport and Education at Leeds Beckett University. Nick is a Chartered Geographer and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Fellow of the College of Teachers. Appointed a Trustee in 2013, Nick is also Chairman of The Trust's Risk Management Committee.

Leo Houlding

Leo is the modern face of British Adventure and one of the world's top climbers. He’s a veteran of a score of epic ascents, including Everest. Leo pushes the limits of exploratory adventure by taking the ultimate in extreme sports to the most extreme environments. Leo has become an ambassador for the younger generation of climbers and has been called one of Britain's top ten adventurers by The Telegraph. He became a Trustee in 2017.

Jonathan Lewis

Jonathan started his career as a Chartered Accountant with PWC before transferring to the Financial Services sector in 1995. After working in various roles in London, New York and Tokyo he became Chief Executive Officer of Nomura International plc in 2014, where he is responsible for the business in Europe, Middle East and Africa. He is also Governor of Walthamstow Hall School. He has been a Trustee since 2017.

Nick Sanderson

Nick is Chief Financial and Operating Officer at Great Portland Estates plc, having joined the Board in 2011. He started his career as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen and then moved into Real Estate Investment Banking, working across Europe and Asia with UBS, Lehman Brothers, Nomura and Deloitte. He has been a Trustee since September 2021.

Paul Voller

Paul works with clients on a wide variety of corporate, commercial, constitutional and charity regulatory issues. He has traditionally practised in the fields of private companies, charities and commercial banking, however in recent years his work has become more focused on corporate and commercial work in the charity and not for profit sectors. A former Trustee of CCHF, Paul joined The Trust's Trustees in 2018 when CCHF made a deed of gift to The Trust and ceased to exist in its current form.

Guy Williams

Guy was appointed Managing Director Northern Europe for global business AkzoNobel in 2011. In 2013, he was given responsibility for the Global Sales Excellence function to enable AkzoNobel to strategically develop and drive a clear sales and category management strategy. Prior to joining AkzoNobel Guy held a number of roles across major retailers. Appointed a Trustee in 2014.

Our Patrons

Our Deputy Patrons: Sir Chris Bonington CVO, CBE, DL, The Lord Kirkham KCVO