Director of operations
dan searsON
Challenge The Wild is run by Dan Searson. Dan has spent the past thirty years exploring the outdoors. During his twenty year military career, as an Army Officer in the regulars and reserves, he was deployed to the Balkans, Africa and the Middle East; and led expeditions to the Pyrenees, Machu Pichu, the Sierra Nevada, Dolomites and Mount Kenya. He was awarded the Home Command Innovation Award for Training during the COVID pandemic.
Dan has worked as a mountain leader for many years, successfully guiding teams across the UK, Europe and Africa, notably across the Picos de Europa and Sierra Nevada mountains in Spain, The Alps and up Mount Kenya. Dan was recently part of a team that led a group to the summit of Mont Blanc.
Dan has extensive experience in Event Management and has personally run challenges for many high profile organisations. He thrives on working closely with our clients; ensuring they achieve their aims through a rigorous approach to planning and delivery.
Dan is supported by a team of highly experienced Event Managers and a Technical Delivery Team that are some of the best in the business.
instructors
Paddy Cave
Paul Johnson
Paddy Cave
Paddy is CTW's Lead Technical Instructor. Paddy holds the Mountaineering Instructor’s Certificate, the highest UK certificate available. He has completed 14 first ascents of peaks in the northern Himalayas and has taken clients out trekking and climbing all over the world.
Joe Harrop
Paul Johnson
Paddy Cave
Joe is predominately a rock climbing instructor, but also leads groups in the technical ghylls and canyons of the UK. He has a passion for the outdoors and has led groups all over the UK and Europe. Joe has been instructing on Challenge The Wild events from the very beginning .
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson
ben gallagher
Paul is CTW's Support Team Leader. He served in the Merchant Navy for 39 years, spending 22 years as chief petty officer. During his extensive travels all over the world, Paul has studied many techniques on helping people overcome their fears and anxieties to achieve their goals.
ben gallagher
ben gallagher
ben gallagher
Ben is is one of our Walk Leaders and Event Managers. Having been injured whilst serving in the British Army, he is passionate about sharing his story to encourage others that although you may have a disability, its the ability to go beyond and defy the odds that makes a difference.
John Kilner
ben gallagher
John Kilner
John is one of our Walk Leaders and works closely with the support team. He is a General Practitioner in the Lake District and has interests in sports and expedition medicine. He is a fell runner, keen traveller and serves as a Medical Officer in the Army Reserve.
Diane king
ben gallagher
John Kilner
Diane is is one of our Walk Leaders. She has trekked all over the world and led expeditions across the UK and in Europe. She is an ICU Nurse in Manchester and a SNCO in the Army Reserve. Diane is happiest helping others, whilst exploring the benefits the outdoors have to offer.
Dale Walker
Sophie Monkman
Sophie Monkman
Dale is a former Army Physical Training Instructor, Royal Marines Commando and British Army Physiotherapy Officer. He is now a University Lecturer in Physiotherapy , a crossfit enthusiast and an adventure athlete . He supports CTW on many high profile events.
Sophie Monkman
Sophie Monkman
Sophie Monkman
Sophie is one of our Mountain Leaders. She has recently trained in the French/Swiss Alps, completing courses in Alpine Mountaineering and Ski Touring. As a junior doctor, Sophie has an interest in remote medicine and is a welcome addition to the Challenge The Wild team.
Sig Bar-Ilan
Sophie Monkman
Sig Bar-Ilan
Sig has been at Challenge The Wild since the start. She has a passion for adventure and is a keen climber and yogi. She has led groups all over the world, helping people take on challenges to reach their goals and take in breathtaking views from the magnificent Alps to the incredible Grand Canyon.
ben mcComb
connor holah
Sig Bar-Ilan
Ben is one of Challenge The Wild's Mountain Leaders. He served as a an Army Officer in the Royal Artillery, a role which has seen him travel extensively. He is first aid qualified and has significant knowledge in event management. Ben thrives on helping others to achieve their goals.
connor holah
connor holah
connor holah
Challenge The Wild's marketing and website is handled by Connor. His first experience with Challenge The Wild was on the East Cheshire Hospice Grand Canyon Trek in October 2018. He's an avid hiker and thrill seeker with both a great passion for technology and the outdoors.