Andy is a leading authority on the development of extreme sport and adventure destinations. He is also an expert on sports infrastructure, market analysis, business development and governance. This is knowledge is founded on over 30 years of participation in adventure sport as well as a range of leadership roles in sport and business. 

 

A leading mountaineer and expedition climber Andy has climbed all over the world and led ten expeditions to the greater ranges, with world class objectives including the North Ridge of Latok 1 and the South Face of Gasherbrum IV. Andy is also a very experienced Skier, Mountain Biker and Road Cyclist. He is a board member of Cycling UK and competes in British Cycling events as well as international sportives.  

 

Andy was the National Officer and Deputy Chief Executive of the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). He progressed to become Chief Executive of Mountain Services (UK mountaineering’s commercial arm) and the Mountain Heritage Trust. He led on national sport strategy, facility policy and co authored both the ‘Climbing Wall Development Manual’ and ‘Safety on Mountains’. He founded Summit magazine and organised many international events including Climbing World Championships

 

Andy has built on his knowledge of adventure sport, development strategy, market analysis and business planning to build a strong consultancy portfolio. This is backed up by an MBA from Manchester Business School where he specialized in place making, destination development and turnaround.  He has advised on some on the most innovative sport and place making projects of the past 10 years and is particularly focused on how sport and culture can combine to create a distinct destination brand. He has demonstrated how effective this can be in projects worldwide (see Andy's Experience).

 

Today Andy is Chief Executive of Venture Xtreme Consultancy. He also sits on the boards of several companies including the RTB development partnership and Growth Lancashire. He remains very active in his community and is a Rossendale Borough Councillor where he has had Cabinet responsibility for Economic Development and Leisure. In his voluntary roles Andy is a Trustee of Cycling UK and a board member of the Mount Everest Foundation and the BMC International Committee.