In Nepal I trekked to Everest Base Camp and experienced a familiar sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) seeing all the expeditions preparing to summit. Little did I know that when the opportunity to apply for Ice Maiden arose, that trek to the foot of Everest was the only piece of relevant experience I could offer.

Eventually returning to London, I realised that I needed to start making some serious money and made the transition to the corporate world of marketing. After many years of marketing everything from bamboo nappies to language schools in Riga, and luxury property developments in London to superyachts in the Caribbean, the itchy feet returned and I never found a cure.

A sECOND CAREER

Having spent 4 years in the Officer's Training Corps at Bristol University, I joined the Honourable Artillery Company Army Reserve Regiment in London in 2011. I was looking for a physical challenge that would offset the desk job, and hoping to meet other people that also enjoyed sleeping in woods!

After training as a surveillance operator, promoting to the rank of Lance Sergeant (equivalent to Corporal) and qualifying as a military ski instructor, I saw a notice about Ice Maiden.

ICE MAIDEN

I never believed I had what it takes to cross Antarctica, or that I would be selected for the team, but thought I'd put in my application, then wait for somebody to tell me the game was up. Although 250 other people applied, a few things were in my favour - no experience or physical fitness were required.

I trained for 2 years, dragging my tyre Betty II across Central London on my 2-hour morning commute to practice dragging a sledge. This earned me many odd looks, but I was so 100% focussed on getting to Antarctica that I was immune. Completing 7 weeks of training in Arctic Norway took its toll on my marketing career and I had to quit my job, move out of my London flat and live with my parents in Sussex, or couch-surf with friends. 

Just 4 months before the planned departure for Antarctica, the team still hadn't been announced and, crippled with Imposter Syndrome, I was convinced I would be axed. When I finally heard I'd made the cut, it felt like such a huge achievement that I had to keep reminding myself we hadn't even started the expedition yet…

Read my Ice Maiden expedition blog.

SINCE ICE MAIDEN

My journey across Antarctica was life changing in every respect. Since getting home I never went back to marketing, but instead started this business, and became Director of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Polar Regions. Based at the House of Commons, I invited experts on the Arctic and Antarctic to come into parliament and speak to MPs and Peers about issues affecting the polar regions. In 2019, on behalf of the APPG Polar Regions, I organised the inaugural Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly, inviting MPs from all 54 signatories to the Antarctic Treaty to gather in London to discuss the issues of climate change, biodiversity and tourism on the White Continent.

I am now the Head of Operations for the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, and am responsible for selecting, training and managing the seasonal teams that run the “Penguin Post Office” and museum at Port Lockroy, on the Antarctic Peninsula. Stranded on a tiny island for 5 months with no running water and very limited communications, it is essential that the teams bond fast so that they can live and work harmoniously. These diverse individuals usually have no Antarctic experience but, with just a few weeks’ training in the UK, I help them to form effective, self-sufficient teams in highly challenging circumstances.

PAST ADVENTURES