AE Core Team
AE has a core team of full-time office and instructional staff - we're here year round and you'll speak to one of us if you call or email. We like to chat and it would be great to hear from you. Click on a staff member to read more about them below.
AE Instructor Team
We are lucky to be closely supported by a fantastic instructor team - some instructors specialise in delivering different types of programmes while you might meet others across a range of programmes. Get to know more about your instructors below - we're looking forward to meeting you.
Cat Charlton
Cat left a career in law to work full-time in the outdoors and has never looked back. Equally happy climbing warm rock in the sun or taking on the challenge of icy Winter conditions, Cat's passion lies in helping others to overcome their fears and achieve their aims in the outdoors. Cat also combines her legal background and experience in the outdoors by providing technical advice and acting as an expert witness alongside her role as director of AE.
Qualifications
- Winter Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor (WMCI)
- Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor (MCI)
- International Mountain Leader (IML)
- Summer Mountain Leader (SML)
- Winter Mountain Leader (WML)
- DofE Accredited Assessor for Bronze, Silver, Gold
- Member of Association of Mountaineering Instructors
- Member of British Association of International Mountain Leaders
- Member of Mountain Training Association
Andy Charlton
Andy is a technical adviser and operational adviser for AE and loves working and playing in the mountains. Hooked on the outdoor life from an early age, Andy's been lucky enough to climb, run, walk and mountaineer extensively in the UK and overseas, pushing himself personally and professionally in the mountains.
Qualifications
- Mountaineering Instructor Certificate (WMCI)
- Mountaineering Instructor Award (MCI)
- International Mountain Leader (IML)
- Summer Mountain Leader (SML)
- Winter Mountain Leader (WML)
- DofE Accredited Assessor for Bronze, Silver, Gold
- Member of Association of Mountaineering Instructors
- Member of British Association of International Mountain Leaders
- Member of Mountain Training Association
Lindy Smith
Lindy combined her passion for rock climbing and the outdoors with her previous teaching experience when she joined the AE team to manage operations full-time. Lindy's experience adds a great depth to our programme management and she is often the friendly voice that picks up the phone when you give us a call!
Lindy spends much of her free time rock climbing, bouldering and running and has extensive knowledge of the wonderful wild places of the UK.
Qualifications
- Qualified Teacher (QTS)
- Lowland Leader Award (LL)
- DofE Accredited Assessor course
- Member of Mountain Training Association
Jake Phillips
Jake acts as Lead Instructor alongside Andy and Cat for both Adventure Expeditions and Adventure Expertise. Jake is both highly experienced and passionate about the outdoors and this always evident in the energy that he brings to the courses that he works on.
Jake has worked in the outdoor industry for the past 11 years and is a keen climber, runner and mountaineer, personally and professionally. His commitment to developing people's skills in the outdoors is always carried out with a sense of humour - hailing from Cornwall he is happiest with a pasty packed for lunch!
Qualifications
- Mountaineering Instructor Certificate (WMCI)
- Mountaineering Instructor Award (MCI)
- Summer Mountain Leader (SML)
- Winter Mountain Leader (WML)
- Foundation Coach Award (FCA)
- Sea Kayak Coach (MW)
- Mountain Bike Instructor Award (L2)
- DofE Accredited Assessor for Bronze, Silver, Gold
- Member of Association of Mountaineering Instructors