Our Trustees - The Outdoor Partnership

Contact

An early job as a handyman in a centre in the 1970s led to a career over 40 years in the outdoors, influencing tens of thousands of youngsters, adults and professionals. Paul was an Outdoor Education Advisor for a number of local authorities and a manager of a large outdoor education service. In addition to his professional contribution, he is a founder member of the Outdoor Partnership and currently the Chair.

Paul has chaired the Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP), Mountain Training Cymru, and has been a regional chair for the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (AHOEC). He is a former founder Trustee for the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom and helped develop the LOtC Quality Badge and LOtC Mark for Schools. He was also a trustee of the Field Studies Council for 7 years and until summer 2022, was a governor of a large secondary school committed to outdoor learning. Previous roles include being one of the original authors of National Guidance for the OEAP and a committee member of AAIAC. A firm believer in lifelong learning, Paul has learnt Welsh and completed an M.Ed.at Bangor University in 2000. He has also been part of the development groups for both APIOL and LPIOL and is a Fellow of the Institute for Outdoor Learning.

Paul Airey

Chair/ Responsible for Operations & Risk Management

Faye has experience of working within various roles across health and wellbeing spanning over 15 years. From gyms, exercise referral and rehab, as well as workplace and social care wellbeing and most recently community mental health development across South Wales. Faye has loved the outdoors since completing her Duke of Edinburgh Gold at school and went on to complete her mountain leader training as well as working as a fell and trail running coach in recent years. Faye has worked as a delivery partner within the Gwent and Powys regions delivering the Introduction to fell running sessions in the Breacon Beacons and Black Mountains. Faye is passionate about supporting people into the outdoors whatever their interest. In her spare time Faye is a keen fell and trail runner enjoying running and racing over various distances, whether that on her local trails or further afield. Faye also loves to get out exploring with her dogs, daily walks in green spaces is an important part of her daily wellbeing.

Faye Johnson

Trustee for Health and Wellbeing

Jo is a Mum to 2 boys with differing disabilities ie. autism and wheelchair user. This has given her the passion and genuine drive to see inclusivity become the “norm” for activity provision and recreational life for those with disabilities.

Jo and her husband set up Conwy Sea Rowing Club 5 years ago which is an inclusive rowing club and have achieved Insport Silver Award. Jo is involved in running the club as both secretary and Welfare Officer and lots in between!

Jo is also involved with Penmaenmawr Sailing Club Committee with regards to more inclusive provision and has recently been voted in as Chair for Disability Ski Wales. She aspires to work within best club practice and ensure it works for the members!

Jo enjoys the Outdoors and as a family participate in hillwalking, climbing, surfing, sailing, biking, camping and much more. They are used to thinking outside the box with regards getting the wheelchair places! They have a genuine ethos to share information and experiences to enhance inclusivity in the Outdoors.

Jo Owen

Responsible for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Joan Edwards, Qualified Chartered Accountant with over 25 years’ experience in a variety of public and private sector organisations is also co-owner of Bryn Bella, an eco-friendly, award winning Guest House in Betws-y-coed.

A former trustee of the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation and Llanrwst Almshouse she enjoys a number of outdoor activities,including running (including 2 Snowdonia marathons), cycling, climbing, walking and triathlons.

Joan Edwards

Responsible for Finance

Leah leads an all encompassing human resources consultancy in North Wales, her passion for people has allowed her to deliver on award winning business results. She has over 18 years experience in Human Resources, working alongside company directors or trainees, engaging with staff regardless of seniority to devise and implement strategies that deliver on award winning business results.

Leah Watkins

Responsible for Human Resources

Paul was actively involved at the start of the Outdoor Partnership in 2004, was elected an affiliated member in 2009 and was Chairman from 2010 – 2015 which led to the formation of The Outdoor Partnership as a charitable company.

He qualified as a teacher at Loughborough Colleges in 1971. In 1973 he moved from teaching to the emerging local authority leisure industry managing theatres, leisure centre and swimming pools. He moved to North Wales in 1986 where he worked for 23 years until retiring as Head of Leisure and Community Development for Conwy Council. He holds a Mountain Leader Award and has an Honorary Degree from Loughborough University. .

From 1977 until 1991 he orienteered at national and international level including a period as the Welsh Orienteering captain. He has also represented GB in the equestrian sport of TREC. His many outdoor interests over the years included fell running, rock climbing, winter mountaineering and Mountain Rescue. Paul now runs a smallholding in Betws yn Rhos for horses and rare breed sheep with his wife, Jenni.

Paul Frost

Responsible for Governance

Margaret’s commercial and marketing expertise comes from 20 years of managing large income generation budgets and designing long term funding strategies in the hospice field. Starting from grass roots fundraising, Margaret has developed her career in this niche and is currently Commercial Director at St David’s Hospice, North West Wales.

Her main passion outside of work is climbing mountains and generally being in the outdoors. She is a qualified Mountain Leader and spends most of her free time planning new routes and adventures and encourages people to be outside as much as possible. Margaret is a huge advocate of the Outdoor Partnership, and the charities aims. She joined the board in September 2021.

Margaret Hollings

Responsible for Commercial and Marketing

Stuart went to sea in 1985 and served in both the Royal and Merchant Navy. This included 10 years working in Polar waters with the British Antarctic Survey, including an overwinter as Boats Officer at Rothera Research Station. He gained his Master Mariner’s certificate in 1994 and sailed as Master in High Speed Craft before coming ashore.

Stuart subsequently worked in ship management and marine consultancy, predominately taking instructions from underwriters and lawyers but also working in marine logistics and port development. 2016 saw a move closer to home to work with the RNLI where he is now the Area Lifesaving Manager covering Ynys Mon and Pen Llyn.

Having gone away to sea at 16 Stuart read law as a mature student graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 2008. He is an enthusiastic Welsh learner and is also a Trustee of Caernarfon Harbour Trust.

Stuart scuba dives, paddles a sea kayak and carries surf boards around for his kids.

Stuart Wallace

Responsible for Development