JOHN WILSON

 

John has been working within the events industry since 1988. After graduating from Leeds University, John arrived in the world of teambuilding and team development in the early 90’s through his love of outdoor adventure. He founded Active8events in 1999.

 

Outside work, John’s focus is “the family” and trying to balance the love for all things home and the love for all things adventurous. At the tender age of 40 he still likes to think he has the ability to meet most physical challenges “off the couch!”

 

During the ten years between graduating and finally settling down, John pursued a hedonistic lifestyle travelling the world in search of the perfect rock climbing route and the perfect powder day. He is still keen to climb the perfect route although the grade may be a little easier these days! With regard to powder, following a trip to Utah in February 2009 believes he has now experienced the Perfect Powder Day!

 

His favourite restaurant of all time is the Aloha Bar and Grill at Huntington Beach in California, and his favourite hotel is the Cap Ducal in Vina del Mar, Chile.

 

 

BURKIT RUDD (KIT)

 

Kit has been working in team development and group facilitation since 1992 and he brings top quality training and development to Active8events’. Kit is a qualified NLP and SDI practitioner and Belbin administrator.

 

Before becoming the trrainer he is today, Kit centred his working life around outdoor pursuits instruction and later he spent 4 years in the consultancy sector specialising in behavioural change.

 

Outside of work Kit can be found hundreds of feet in the air satisfying what he admits is an addiction to paragliding. He doesn’t have a favourite restaurant as such but loves places where staff take pride in their work, giving great customer service! Being a true Scott - his favourite hotel is in Scotland - Taychreggan Hotel, on the shore of Loch Awe.

 

 

GARY GIFFORD

 

Gary “Gifted” has been the public face of Active8entertainment for the last 10 years. His ability to hold a crowd with nothing more than a red lycra suit and motor bike helmet is legendary! Gary has been working in street theatre for the last 13 years, working major events all over the world with his stunning array of characters and walkabout acts. When not dressed as a Wizard in a dustbin or a talking bush Gary can be found in his natural habit being Dad to Jo, Iona and Isabel. The controlling influence in Gary’s world is Mel who has the difficult job of reigning in and directing this incredible talent. Gary’s favourite restaurant is Two Fat Ladies fish restaurant in Glasgow and his favourite Hotel is Châteaux, Lake Louise in British Columbia.

 

 

CLAUDIO KRON

 

How do you best describe Claudio! Percussionist, dancer, poet, song writer and above all – an entertainer. Born in Bahia in Brazil Claudio has devoted himself to music since the age of 9 when his mother Nanucia Lima Santos presented him with his very own Berimbau! He has been based in the UK since 1996 where his sound has continued to evolve. Celebrating the force of percussion Claudio produces music that encompasses traditional African and Afro Brazilian themes, blended with the indigenous Brazilian sound. Claudio is the passion and the power behind Active8’s Drumming 4 Business events. With his positively electric personality, Claudio has an amazing ability to send out almost a shock wave of positivity and togetherness that has to be seen to be believed.

Claudio’s doesn’t have a favorite Hotel, he’s happy where ever he is and his favorite restaurant is the Chippie at the end of his street. Thirteen years in the UK has not diminished his passion for the classic “Chippie buttie”

 

 

MAXINE WILLETT

 

Maxine is by far the most important person with the Active8 team, administrator and logistics guru. Wrongly accused of an archiving atrocity in 2003 Maxine has been locked in the Attic at Active8 for nearly six years.

When Maxine’s not keeping the team in order she can be found hanging out with miscellaneous mountaineer’s memorabilia, fell walking or mountain biking. In the evenings Maxine’s passion for salsa dancing is always on show. Her favourite restaurant is the Oyster shack in Sydney Australia and favourite hotel is the lodge at De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa.

 

 

TIM GREEN

 

If it’s technical, then Tim’s the man that can. Tim has been working within the events industry for the last 16 years and now fronts up all of Active8’s audio visual, conference and film production events. He’s a born perfectionist and consequently works ridiculous hours to make sure all his events meet and usually surpass our client’s expectations.

 

In his free time Tim is either hard at it playing with Thomas the Tank Engine or dressing up as a princess, with his children I hasten to add! To keep the flame of adventure alive he launches himself at the kickers in the backwoods of Winlatter Forest and in the winter season, it’s snow boarding, where he has a reputation for going big regardless of the consequences. Once a prolific rugby player, he has been known to dust off his boots to come to the rescue of Keswick RUFC if they need help propping up the bar.

 

 

PAUL WELLER

 

The quiet man of Active8, nicknamed the “MOD Father” for obvious reasons Paul has been working with Active8 since its conception. His relaxed and comfortable style is a joy to behold in an industry inhabited by loud and outwardly forceful characters. Paul has a massive depth of experience in working in team scenarios and if you’re lucky enough to experience one of his stories you get a real insight into a man that can truly be described as inspirational.

 

When Paul’s not inspiring others to achieve great things, he’ll be out doing great things, rock climbing, canoeing, mountaineering and snowboarding. Paul like his namesake is also an accomplished guitarist and camp fire raconteur.      

 

 

SIMON YATES

 

Every team needs a celebrity mountaineer, we chose Simon. Simon took up residence in the Active8 office building in 2002, initially a short term arrangement to give him a quite space to finish writing his second book and manage his mountaineering expedition business “Mountain Dream”. Seven years, two books, countless expeditions and two children later and he’s still here. Simon is always on hand for a brew, a chat and a few tales of strange and far off places.