Our Staff

Gini came to work for Naturetrek in November 1997 after spending two years in the Falkland Islands where she was employed by the Falkland Islands Tourist Board. Apart from arranging tours of the Islands, including those for Naturetrek, much of her time was spent exploring with her twin daughters who were also fascinated by the abundance of wildlife there. They would spend countless hours watching the penguins’ antics, from the hilarious but cross-looking Rockhoppers to the aloof Kings who tried desperately to keep their chicks from playing with her daughters! Although Gini is now completely office bound, it doesn’t stop her dreaming of all the wonderful places we can send you to. Gini is the manager of our very busy reservations department which deals with all the bookings we receive and makes sure everyone is invoiced for their holidays! She also takes care of any of your insurance queries.

The travel bug began when visiting Canada whilst studying Countryside and Wildlife Management at University. Having sparked a desire to explore the country further, Helen returned to Canada on a belated 'gap year' to spend time living in the Rockies working as a Ranger studying wolves and coyotes. Being very active, with a passion for the natural world, and utilising her degree, work has taken Helen back to Canada several times, to Greece where she undertook biodiversity surveys for a sea turtle protection programme, and to the Isle of Sky to study sea otter behaviour. All these wonderful experiences allied to Helen's love of wildlife led to a year working as a Park Ranger in Dorset educating others to enjoy wildlife and conservation. A change in career, and the opportunity to work in London as a Crime Scene Investigator kept Helen busy for the next few years until settling in Hampshire. Her interest in wildlife and rediscovery of her love of outdoor pursuits against the backdrop of the beautiful Hampshire countryside led to Helen joining the Reservations team at Naturetrek. A ten minute 'commute' to work by bicycle along the lane to the Mill is the best start to the day with guaranteed wildlife spotting along the way! Helen likes to go kayaking on Hampshire's beautiful rivers and coastline and combines her love of cross country running with training for the London Marathon 

Georgie has always lived in Hampshire, and joined Naturetrek in 2006 after leaving college with A’ Levels in Biology, Chemistry and Music. Having only planned to stay for six months, Georgie found it hard to tear herself away from the wonderful surroundings of the Mill and the brilliant group of people she sparked up friendships with. Currently undertaking the second year of her degree in Podiatry at Southampton University, Georgie continues to work at the Mill whenever she can in her varied administrative assistant role, where she helps the ever busy Reservations Department. Having travelled extensively in Europe, aswell as to North America and the Caribbean, this summer Georgie decided to explore the best of the UK, visiting Wales in her campervan and Cornwall on her motorcycle where her novice eyes spotted a large buzzard soaring across the road within 15 metres of her bike. Georgie lives in Southampton with her partner, friends and dog within easy reach of the flora and fauna of the New Forest.

 

Born in Suffolk, Dan's love of nature began at a very young age, learning his birds long before he'd learnt the alphabet! Taking a gap year before Uni, Dan travelled extensively around India and Europe before studying Zoology at the University of London. After graduating with a MSc in Zoology, Dan set about planning and earning money for a round-the-world trip that would take in some of the most exciting wildlife destinations in the world. Travelling with his wildlife photographer fiancée, Dani, he returned to India, before moving on to South-east Asia, Central and South America and Africa, working on conservation projects along the way and gaining an invaluable wealth of travel experience. On returning from his travels, Dan worked for several years as an Ecologist, undertaking protected species surveys and specialising in ornithology, before joining Naturetrek in 2011 as Operations Manager. Based in Surrey with his wife Dani and two dogs, Dan is an active member of the Surrey Amphibian and Reptile Group and can frequently be found surveying the heathlands of Surrey and Hampshire for rare reptiles and heathlands birds, when not pursuing other passions that include squash and cricket.

It would be hard to find someone with a more knowledgeable understanding of India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan than Rajan. Born and raised in India as a member of one of Kashmir’s prominent families, he has excellent connections and uses them extensively to experience the full gamut of what the country has to offer. Rajan has travelled throughout India and the world, and has worked in the travel industry for the past 17 years, nine of which were based in India. His passion is logistics and complex itineraries which, through his intimate knowledge and in depth comprehension of the idiosyncrasies of the Indian subcontinent, he can ensure flow effortlessly. His vivacious and bubbly personality, as well as his profound understanding of the traveller’s requirements, are a major asset to the company. Rajan graduated in Business Studies and also has a diploma in Travel and Tourism from Delhi University. He has led many Naturetrek groups to India and always been lucky in seeing Tigers!

Paul Stanbury was one of the first members of staff to join the Naturetrek team. He graduated in Environmental Biology from Plymouth University in the summer of 1995 and, after travelling in South East Asia for the rest of that year, joined Naturetrek in January 1996. He now works as operations manager and lives in the small town of Petersfield in the heart of the Hampshire South Downs. Paul spends much of the year based in our Cheriton office and looks after an ever-growing portfolio of over 100 Naturetrek holidays, ranging from a long weekend in the New Forest to three weeks in Madagascar. He is still let out occasionally, however, and leads three or four tours a year. Paul's interest in birds developed at an early age and has since broadened into a love of all wildlife. He has travelled widely, having visited all seven continents, but still looks for any excuse to return to western Canada, his favourite destination.

Julie was born in West Sussex and brought up in a farming family. Her childhood was very much spent close to nature and wildlife. Since then most of her working life has been spent in the travel industry, with a break to raise her family. Julie loves the outdoors and is especially fond of gardening and walking; however, music and singing are her particular passions. She has visited several European countries, most recently joining one of Naturetrek’s holidays to Finland, and she particularly enjoys the floral and cultural aspects of a place when travelling. After many years spent living in the north of England, Julie moved back south to Hampshire and joined the Naturetrek team in 2005 as an operations assistant. She is involved in the operation of a very wide range of tours, including all those to northern and eastern Europe, Africa, Mexico and Costa Rica. She additionally assists with our cruise departures, as well as managing our large programme of ‘Just Brown Bears’ tours to Finland.

Byron is a field ornithologist and has successfully led many Naturetrek birding tours around South America (including his native Ecuador) since 2002, carving out a reputation for himself as one of the region's brightest birding talents.

He loves his vocation and cannot imagine anything better than exploring the wild and beautiful places of the world. Byron joined Naturetrek’s headquarters to assist with South American tours in particular. He has more recently become involved in our programme of tours to Spain, where his linguistic and birding skills have been of great benefit. Byron is an excellent communicator, has a great sense of humour and enjoys helping others find birds and other wildlife in the field.

Byron spends his time either at the office in Hampshire or in West Dorset where he lives with his wife Jenny.

David was born in Meriden, Warwickshire but has lived most of his life in West London where he worked for the EMI music company in their Artist Royalties division before re-locating to Hampshire  2 years ago. An interest in birds began at an early age when he saw, the then, very rare Red Kite on a family holiday in Wales. The bird interest grew and has subsequently broadened to encompass all forms of wildlife and has been the prime motivator for extensive travel both in the UK and overseas to such places as Europe, Chile, New Zealand and Namibia but with a particular fascination for the Polar regions, North America and India. The first of these compliments his interest in early polar exploration which has included trips to see Amundsen's ship "Fram" in Oslo and Shackleton's open boat the "James Caird" as well as a landing on Shackleton's infamous Elephant Island. His ambition is to visit the Antarctic base huts of Shackleton and Scott! 

Nearer to home David's interest in photography has seen him travel around the UK photographing plants and insects and he is a very active member of various conservation bodies for plants and butterflies helping to preserve their remaining precious habitats.

>Linda has worked in the travel industry since 1996, joining Naturetrek in February 2008 after working for Travelbag, Ebookers and Lastminute.com. She feels it is a great job, not only because of the fantastic people she works with but because she loves the variety of wildlife trips that Naturetrek offers. Cheriton Mill is a beautiful place to work and there is never a dull day in the office. She always enjoys hearing about people’s previous trips and enjoys sharing her own travel experiences. She has travelled to Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Antigua, Barbados, Bahamas, St Lucia, Tobago, Switzerland, Germany and other parts of Europe. Her favourite country has to be Australia for its pure beauty and wildlife. She has travelled across the tablelands of Queensland, snorkelled on the Great Barrier Reef and seen some amazing marine life and other wildlife there. As ticketing manager for Naturetrek, Linda maintains direct correspondence with such major airlines as British Airways, Air France and Emirates, booking and ticketing flights for Naturetrek clients. Linda lives in Alton with her husband, Richard, and has two grown-up sons and two beautiful baby grandsons.

Peter was born in Goole in the East Riding of Yorkshire and is a retired police sergeant with North Yorkshire Police, where he was wildlife liaison officer for 12 years. He has been a keen birder for over 49 years and organised the setting up and running of the Filey Brigg Bird Observatory on the Yorkshire Coast, where he lives close by and looks after the bird ringing. He is a full trainer for the bird ringing scheme in the UK. Peter has birded throughout most of England, Scotland and Wales, whilst overseas trips have included Spain, France, Poland, Hungary, Malta, Norway, the Balearic Islands, Morocco, Israel, South, Central and North America and the Caribbean. Peter's main interest is in Western Palaearctic species (and races) and he gives talks to local bird and natural history groups using his collection of wildlife photographs - another passion of his. Peter joined the staff of Naturetrek in 2011, responsible for the formatting of the tour reports and keeping tour checklists in order.

Kiera is originally from the north-west of Ireland, but a desire to work in animal welfare led her to study Endangered Species Management at Jersey Zoo, and later move to the UK to take up a job at a veterinary practice and an RSPCA rescue centre. Following this she worked at a wildlife sanctuary in Surrey and then at a gibbon rehabilitation centre in Thailand. She also spent a short time volunteering at an orphanage in Romania. Her degree in Sociology and Psychology (UCD) led her to visit Africa, Asia, Australia and Central America in search of adventure, culture and specifically, primates! Since 1995 she has lived in Surrey with her husband, dogs and rescue cat. Kiera joined the sales and marketing team at Naturetrek in early 2006 and is mainly involved in database management – ensuring brochures, itineraries and tour reports reach you, and answering phone and email enquiries. Her favourite job is proofing tour reports and imagining herself to be a participant on one of our wonderful tours! The camaraderie amongst the staff makes every day fun and she is happy to be able to combine a love of travel and wildlife with her work!

David, the company’s managing director, began Naturetrek in 1986 with his wife, Maryanne. Although trained as a solicitor, David has always loved travel, mountains and wildlife. He has a wealth of experience in Africa and still more in India and the Himalaya, plus an extensive knowledge of their natural history. For two years he trekked independently through every region of the Himalaya, studying and photographing their wildlife. Since then he has written articles, contributed to books, and led and organised many treks there and in Africa. Other travels have taken him throughout South East Asia, Australasia, Europe and the Middle East. His interests focus on birds and mammals, and the history and culture of the Himalaya. He is also passionate about cricket; being chairman, player (with his sons), supporter and a Colts coach-manager at the Southern League club, Hambledon CC – the ‘Cradle of Cricket’. David lives nearby in a quiet corner of Hampshire, together with Maryanne, and their two sons, Thomas and Oliver.

Maryanne is a zoologist from Perth, Western Australia, who co-founded Naturetrek in 1986 with her English husband, David. Prior to her overseas travels she worked as an ecological consultant surveying the wildlife in some of the remote parts of Australia, including the Great Sandy Desert, Barrier Reef and central Australia. A keen walker, she has undertaken several extended backpacking expeditions through the wilderness regions of Tasmania and northern Australia, and was a member of the 1988 Royal Geographical Society's expedition to the remote Kimberley in north-western Australia where she studied the mammals. A keen photographer and writer, she has published articles in a number of walking and natural history magazines. Today, Maryanne, a director of Naturetrek, looks after the operation of all our tours to Australia and New Zealand as well as acting as the company’s responsible tourism officer.

Andy lives in north Hampshire with his wife and young children. He is an Aquatic Biology graduate (Aberystwyth) and worked in consultancy for a year after graduation before travelling to south-east Peru to work as a guide in the Amazon rainforest. During his year there he balanced guiding with his fisheries research and, after a brief spell back in England, returned to a full-time guiding post at Sacha Lodge in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Andy has travelled widely in Central and South America and his fluent Spanish is a huge advantage during our tours both across the Atlantic and in Spain. Andy has bird-watched for as long as he can remember and counts himself lucky to have seen so many fantastic bird and wildlife spectacles around the globe.

He joined the Naturetrek team in 1998 and, while now kept increasingly busy as general manager, is involved in the operations of a wide variety of tours in Latin America, Western Europe and North Africa.

Having qualified in the City with a big accountancy firm, Janice moved to the rural Hampshire countryside, where she has been the Naturetrek accountant for eight years. Before starting a family she and her husband travelled in Africa, the Himalaya and Australia. Climbing Kilimanjaro was an exhausting but exhilarating highlight, and watching the stars from the Serengeti plains was unforgettable. Now her daughters also enjoy travelling, and in recent years have been to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. The most amazing whale watching trip was in eastern Australia where the family stayed on Fraser Island, watching the Humpback Whales swim alongside the boat as they stop in Hervey Bay on their annual migration. The whole family loved the open spaces of New Zealand, and on a fantastic trip to Doubtful Sound they spotted dolphins, penguins and seals. Now she is looking forward to more exciting trips – possibly Africa next!

>Katryn trained to join the Merchant Navy as a Radio Officer, but with the decline of the British shipping industry, globe-trotting was not on the cards so she went to work as an engineer for the BBC, travelling widely in England and Wales. After a little bit of self-reinvention she gained a maths degree from Reading University, and after bringing up her children entered the world of accounting, looking after a number of small businesses, before coming to NT. Katryn has a keen interest in wildlife, especially in plants as “they don’t move when you look at the book”. Katryn was involved for many years with her local woodland conservation group, undertaking activities such as coppicing, hedge laying, flora, mammal and bird surveys, charcoal burning and putting on moth and bat evenings. She lives in Hampshire with her family and enjoys bell ringing and gardening.

Catherine did a degree in Zoology at Nottingham University which she followed with a Master’s in Behavioural Ecology – natural choices for someone with a lifelong passion for wildlife. She has always loved going pretty much anywhere (once, at least), but her first real travel adventure was backpacking across the world by land and sea from Tunbridge Wells to Tokyo – then back again. Since then she has visited many countries and among the destinations she’d most like to return to are the Arctic, Jordan and India.

Catherine enjoys going in search of any wildlife, but is most happy at sea watching whales and dolphins … though she always seems to head straight into a force 9! A qualified journalist, Catherine worked in publishing for several years as an editor then freelance writer on a diverse range of journals including BBC Wildlife magazine. She joined Naturetrek in 2008 and currently takes care of a variety of different tasks including writing and editing web text, the e-news, newsletters and brochure, as well as managing a small number of tours.

From an early age Bret has been interested in wildlife and wild places. This interest has grown into a passion over the last few years and his love of photography seems to go hand in hand with watching wildlife. Bret has a particular interest in African mammals and he has been lucky enough to see his favourite animal of all, the African Wild Dog.

Bret went to the University of Plymouth and studied Architectural Technologies and the Environment before moving to Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park in 2010 to manage a small bush camp. Bret has travelled to Southern Africa, the Pacific, Europe, North America, Australia and most recently India. Bret joined Naturetrek at the beginning of 2011 and now helps us with a mixture of IT and tailor-made tasks.

When he is not in the office Bret is often photographing some of Hampshire’s local wildlife.