OUR TEAM 

As head of the Polar Academy as well as having many years experience in the military and as a mountaineer, Craig has expedition experience in both Arctic and Antarctic regions. He established ‘The Polar Academy’, a project aimed at the youth of Scotland to instil confidence and self-belief through participation on polar expeditions.

Lorna was first introduced to the Polar Academy in 2017 when Craig came to her daughter’s school seeking the 2018/19 expedition team. Alongside others, Lorna was part of a dedicated team of parents who chose to support and fundraise for the expedition for their children. Having seen the life-changing benefits Polar Academy presented to her own daughter, Lorna joined the team as an official member of staff in 2019. Prior to working for the Polar Academy, she was a Parliamentary Assistant in the office of a Member of Parliament before branching out to become a Community Development Worker for a children’s charity in West Lothian. She has a degree in Nursing and a black belt in the Korean martial art Tae Kwon-do. Lorna supports Craig in all day-to-day operations and logistics of running the charity.

Maciej was introduced to the Polar Academy in September 2024 when he decided to change his career after 19 years working in a Scottish Local Authority. His background is in employability, partnership development, fundraising, and community engagement. As a manager within a local authority’s employability service, Maciej was responsible for the funding, development and delivery of innovative youth employability programmes, supporting disadvantaged young people. These involved residential stays and outdoor activities including gorge walking, cliff jumping, hill walking and abseiling.

He led partnership European projects which included partners from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and Poland. Originally from Poland, Maciej was involved in Polish scouting for many years. He was recently appointed onto the Polish Consultative Council helping to represent the Polish Diaspora. For the past 5 years he was a Volunteer Rescue Officer with HM Coastguard.

He enjoys hill walking and camping in the Scottish hills with his family and loves spending time on the water on his paddle board.

Craig asked me to join the Polar Academy Charity from the start, hopefully complementing his vast Polar experience and skills with a range of outdoor qualifications relevant to cross country skiing and winter mountaineering. I have had a long involvement with youth expeditions and outdoor education in remote parts of the world going back to the 1980s. Added to that a Greenland crossing and a winter ski journey in the Tasiilaq area a few years earlier was quite useful as well.

The role of Head of Training at the Scottish National Outdoor Centre, Glenmore Lodge, which I did for 20 years, encompassed programme and risk management, operating procedures and staff development. Working across a number of outdoor disciplines and National Governing Bodies along with access to an amazing network of instructors, and outdoor equipment suppliers has enabled me to support the Polar Academy both as the principal guide and more recently as a Trustee.

It is a great privilege to be a part of the Polar Academy, supporting the young persons’ progress through selection, training and the expeditions as well as supporting management decisions around staff recruitment, equipment and safety processes.

As head of the Polar Academy as well as having many years experience in the military and as a mountaineer, Craig has expedition experience in both Arctic and Antarctic regions. He established ‘The Polar Academy’, a project aimed at the youth of Scotland to instil confidence and self-belief through participation on polar expeditions.

Biography to follow.

I feel very lucky to have been part of the guiding team for Polar Academy from the beginning. The toughest part of our job has always been selecting the young people to take to Greenland. We try to make sure we select the young people that we believe need it the most. We then spend a week with the team, training them in the Cairngorms to prepare them for their expedition, alongside their tyre hauling and training at school. Once in Greenland, we are all hands on deck to ensure a smooth expedition, dealing with whatever the weather throws at us! By the end of our time on the ice, the young people are leading the expedition themselves, it is a privilege to watch the transformation!

Alex is an emergency medicine doctor training in Bristol. She has interests in expedition and wilderness medicine, and global health. She spent 18 months working in New Zealand and since then has worked as an expedition medic in Antarctica, Africa, Costa Rica, the Amazon, Fiji and South-east Asia. Her favourite expeditions are those that give young explorers the opportunity to challenge themselves and grow in self-confidence, because it was a similar experience that set her on her current life track!

She enjoys teaching wilderness medicine and has completed Diplomas in Expedition and Wilderness Medicine and Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. She is currently working towards a Global Health Masters with a dissertation looking into the care of local expedition participants on Kilimanjaro.

She is a keen skier, cyclist and hillwalker and dabbles in rock-climbing and mountain biking. She holds summer mountain leader award.

Glasgow born David is a Specialty Doctor in Emergency Medicine in Edinburgh. He has an undergraduate degree in human physiology and membership of the Royal College of Physicians. He was one of the first medics to earn the International Diploma in Expedition and Wilderness Medicine on which he now contributes as faculty.

The ethos of the polar academy is very personal to him as it was a similar organisation, Fulcrum Challenge that took him from Penilee Secondary School to his first trip abroad aged 17 on an expedition to the Indian Himalayas. He credits that life-changing experience for the direction his life took and showing him just how much people can achieve with the smallest amount of encouragement. He has looked after multiple expeditions (loving the planning almost as much as the execution) including at very high altitude in Himalayan Ladakh India with Lotus Flower Trust. He has taken further training in desert and polar medicine in Morocco and New Zealand and travelled to 50 countries on 6 continents – so far.

In his spare time, he cycles, trail runs, climbs and reads, does DIY and paints when he gets the time; a true geek at heart he loves a deep dive into a science or psychology podcast. Most of all he is a family man and loves to sit for hours next to the campfire.

Richard Smith, PhD, studied as an astrophysicist, moved into Information Technology and served with the Royal Marines Reserve and the Special Boat Service. Having brushed shoulders with cancer in 2000 and 2005, he made a couple of re calculations on the track his life was heading, and decided to jump the corporate ‘rat race’ ship he was at that time sailing, and disappeared around the world for half a year to have a ‘wee’ think about what to do next. Returning home he started up a friendly and successful luxury motorhome rental business https://motorhomeescapes.co.uk in the beautiful country of Scotland, where he lives just outside Edinburgh. Always keen to share what Scotland has to offer to youngsters and visitors from all around the world, he has always been a passionate outdoors man, never more happy than sea kayaking off the west coast of Scotland, or trekking and climbing the peaks of the Scottish Highlands. He has climbed, trekked or kayaked in Alaska, Greenland, Nepal, the French Alps, and explored the jungles of Belize and the deserts of Oman.

Canadian born and currently living in Scotland, adventure and extreme challenges are in Denise’s DNA. Years of guiding and instructing in Canada, the Arctic, Norway and Antarctica, Denise is one of the original polar guides and still one of few women guides specializing in polar regions. Proudly wearing the badge of the first Canadian woman to ski to the North and South Geographic poles, and in this case, as a guide and leader, helping people safely travel in these extreme environments remains a fundamental reason why she loves this job. Other notable professional and personal involvements include program director for Outward Bound Canada, co-founder of an adventure guiding company in Yukon, Canada, current owner and director of a polar guiding company and mother of 17-year-old twins. A cameleer in the Australian Outback and seasoned dog musher also add colour to Denise’s resume.

Nicola (Nic) is our resident travelling Geordie, often leaving the banks of the Tyne to head to the wild north of Scotland, seeking out the mountains, rivers and coastlines ready for adventure. When not working as an Outdoor Instructor in Scotland, you’ll find her leading expeditions around the world, recently in places such as Borneo, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Oman or the United Arab Emirates.

As an outdoor all rounder, Nic has a real passion for bringing out the free spirit in people, especially when she can combine that with the outdoors. Nic’s super strength is being able to connect with people. First working with the Polar Academy back in 2017 when Nic was part of Glenmore Lodge Instructor Development team, she was able to see firsthand the power of the programme and has enjoyed following their progress ever since.

With a degree in Learning Disabilities Studies, Nic went on to support people with profound levels of autism and those who had been labelled with severe and challenging behaviours, Nic found that the outdoors was a great way to connect with people and bring out their best. Whilst working in the care sector, Nic discovered that she was able to use her own passion for the outdoors as a way to help others build the skills needed to develop their ability to relate to others and get a sense of connection with nature. This approach is the foundation of Nic’s philosophy in all of her work, enthusiastically empowering others to gain a sense of achievement and autonomy through outdoor adventures.

Recognising the power of the outdoors to regulate behaviours, develop social skills and improve day to day wellbeing has been overwhelming for Nic and is something she aims to replicate with each person she works with today.

Emy lives and breathes for the outdoors – hiking, paddling, biking or climbing in all months of the year.  Living in The Cairngorms National Park, she has adventure on her doorstep all year round, believing the outdoors should be available to all, and striving to give young people a full experience.

The love of the outdoors came from being involved in a Rotary club project; RYLA, where she worked as a team mentor for young people using outdoor activities to inspire leadership and empowerment.  She now holds a vast number of outdoor qualifications across hiking, climbing, biking and paddling.  Emy set up and runs her own paddlesports coaching and guiding business across Scotland, assessing aspiring leaders and coaches and developing new paddlers.

She has been out in Nepal and recently returned guiding on the Yukon River.

Hazel, who is an ‘Explorer in Residence’ for the Royal Scottish Geographical Society alongside her husband Luke, passionately believes in the physical and mental benefits of being active and adventurous in the outdoors as well as the importance of teamwork.

She has a love for anything that takes her outdoors, including back-country skiing, mountain biking and long-distance
multi-day ultra-marathons.

In 2016, she ran a 140-mile Ice Ultra on snowshoes in Arctic Sweden and the very first 250-mile Cape Wrath Ultra through the beautiful and remote west coast of Scotland. In 2017, she completed the 156-mile Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert.

Together with her husband Luke, she also spent 75 days kayaking and biking over 1600 miles through one of the world’s last great frontiers; Alaska.

With a background in geophysics, Hazel has 8 years’ experience in the low carbon energy industry and develops strategic projects to help the UK meet its climate change targets. Her talks also explore how we can all make a difference to climate change.

Luke, alongside his wife Hazel, is an ‘Explorer-in-Residence’ at the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Having explored many corners of the planet and worked in the low carbon energy sector, Luke is also passionate about the environment and making a difference to climate change.

Overcoming obstacles and turning fear into an opportunity is something Luke believes in passionately thanks to his own personal experiences.

In 2016, less than two years after undergoing brain surgery and with an artificial pacemaker, Luke became the youngest Brit, the first Scot and one of less than 20 people in history to ski 730 miles solo and unsupported to the South pole.

Craig, aka Stovie, was brought up in South Lanarkshire learning to shoot, fish and explore nature from an early age with friends and family. After leaving University he spent time in the Territorial Army as well as hiking and exploring, culminating in successfully persuading his future wife to honeymoon on a self-led trek through the Annapurna region of Nepal.

More adventures followed with fell running and adventure racing, and when two sons came along, Craig became actively involved in Scouting – first as Scout Leader then Group Scout Leader with his local troop. Much of this time was spent leading bushcraft, hill and water-based activities at troop and district level. He is part of the Bushscout UK team, training scout leaders and young people in bushcraft skills. Craig has also spent time leading expeditions to Greenland and Sweden over the last few years.

When not in the woods, Craig is a full-time biologist having trained in physiology, pharmacology, and biochemistry, and has spent his career in clinical research.

Why ‘Stovie’? As well as researching and making his own historical outdoor kit, Craig also collects and refurbishes vintage camping stoves!

Scott holds BA and MSc degrees from the University of Strathclyde, was trained by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, is an EMT- Wilderness (R C of Surg. Edinburgh/ WEMSI) and Mountain Leader.

He has recently retired as a Lecturer in Exercise Physiology and Health at Edinburgh Napier University and has worked with a number of World Record Holders, International Race (Top Ten World Ranking) winners, title contenders and prepared individuals and groups for activities on six continents including The North Pole, Jungles including Brunei, Belize and Amazon, Deserts including Sahara, Gobi, Namib and numerous other events.

Within Sports Medicine Scott has a research interest in the Psychological and Physiological determinants of elite performance in extreme environments with particular emphasis in Arctic and Desert conditions, elite soldier performance and Ergogenic Aids.

Fiona spent over 30 years as a secondary school teacher, and as Deputy Head at Braeview Academy in Dundee, she approached The Polar Academy to put forward her school for the 2023/24 programme. Braeview was duly selected and Fiona immersed herself in The Polar Academy process, and was a member of both the Greenland Winter and Summer Expeditions in 2024.
Fiona was introduced to the outdoors through the St Andrews University Mountaineering Club, and is an active hillwalker, winter mountaineer, rock climber, ski tourer and paddle boarder. She is widely travelled, with trekking and mountaineering trips to the Indian and Nepal Himalaya, Karakoram, Bolivian and Patagonian Andes, Canadian Rockies and European Alps. Fiona compleated the Munros in 1997.
Having moved on from teaching in Summer 2024, Fiona continues to support Polar Academy graduates and their families as they continue their adventures. She is working with the School of Geography at St Andrews to support their schools’ outreach programme with The Polar Academy, both in Scotland and East Greenland. The greatest privilege of her life has been watching her team of Dundee Polar Explorers grow into young adults. She looks forward to supporting the next generation of Polar Academy youngsters and helping them achieve more than they believed possible.

Born in Edinburgh, Kenny left school at the age of 16 to embark on a career in the Royal Navy. Whilst training as an engineer he still found time to practice his love of sailing & other outdoor pursuits.

He has spent time hiking in the mountains of Scotland, Spain & the Rocky Mountains. In 2008, after spending 6 years living in Colorado, Kenny decided to turn his love of the outdoors into a career & became an Outdoor Instructor. He currently Freelances for a number of centres & runs his own social enterprise providing outdoor learning programs for schools – Avon Outdoors https://www.avonoutdoors.co.uk/ . He has also led Canoe expeditions in the Canadian Yukon & Scotland & regularly assess Duke of Edinburgh Exped’s.

QUALIFICATIONS – Dinghy Instructor, Canoe Leader, ML, Expedition Leader (BES), NNAS Tutor, Advanced Bushcraft instructor.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS – Getting to say hello to Nigel Williams at Glenmore Lodge, I’ve seen all his videos!

FAVOURITE DESTINATION – Canadian Yukon – stunning landscape, amazing wildlife, true wilderness & Northern Lights.

FAVOURITE PIECE OF KIT – It varies. At the moment, it’s my Rokka Korpisoturi knife.

3 THINGS I ALWAYS PACK – My knife, chocolate raisins & toilet paper.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU? – Helping young people to challenge themselves & find their path.

WHAT’S NEXT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? – Snowshoeing in Sweden.

FAVOURITE QUOTE – “You only live once, NO you live every day make the most of it!”

Chris Tiso is the CEO of Tiso Group, the leading national retailer of Outdoor Clothing and Equipment which was founded 60 years ago. Chris took over the running of the eponymous business in 1992 and has led its growth to its current position. The company has 14 stores across four facias covering Scotland and the north of England with a group turnover of c £40m and approximately 400 employees.

In 2023, Chris was appointed MD of JD Specialist Outdoor.

He is a Trustee of Alpine Training Centres and the Polar Academy, which he co-founded.

Chris is an ambassador for Dyslexia Scotland, Countryside Learning Scotland and is a past President of Scouts Scotland. He is also the recipient of several Scottish Business Awards and is an honorary fellow of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

An experienced yachtsman, skier and mountaineer, he has participated in and led climbing and sailing expeditions all over the world including to the Antarctic, Arctic and Himalayas.

Chris lives on a Farm in Kinross-shire with his wife, their children and an assortment of animals.

Chris is a surgeon who has a sustained  interest in wilderness environments. He started climbing at school and has continued to travel the world to fulfill this passion. It is his firm belief that youngsters should have similar opportunities, and so he is very excited to join the Polar Academy as a Trustee.

Chris is a member of both the Alpine and Climbers Club and sits on the Mount Everest Screening Committee. Recently, he completed a 30-year odyssey by climbing the Seven Summits. He is a world expert in cold injuries and has run the UK telemedicine frostbite service for the British Mountaineering Council for over a decade. In 2017, he co-founded the Global Polar and Altitude Metabolic Research Registry to help better understand the challenges of extreme environmental travel.

Chris is a co-author of The Oxford Handbook of Expedition and Wilderness Medicine, and although he has published extensively on altitude medicine, cold injury, vascular and renal transplantation surgery, he remains an active mountaineer, polar traveler and altitude/cold researcher.

Craig asked me to join the Polar Academy Charity from the start, hopefully complementing his vast Polar experience and skills with a range of outdoor qualifications relevant to cross country skiing and winter mountaineering. I have had a long involvement with youth expeditions and outdoor education in remote parts of the world going back to the 1980s. Added to that a Greenland crossing and a winter ski journey in the Tasiilaq area a few years earlier was quite useful as well.

The role of Head of Training at the Scottish National Outdoor Centre, Glenmore Lodge, which I did for 20 years, encompassed programme and risk management, operating procedures and staff development. Working across a number of outdoor disciplines and National Governing Bodies along with access to an amazing network of instructors, and outdoor equipment suppliers has enabled me to support the Polar Academy both as the principal guide and more recently as a Trustee.

It is a great privilege to be a part of the Polar Academy, supporting the young persons’ progress through selection, training and the expeditions as well as supporting management decisions around staff recruitment, equipment and safety processes.

Sandra Dailidyte [daily-dee-tay] is a portfolio manager at Cazenove Capital. Sandra is based in Scotland, Edinburgh where she advices wealthy individuals (many of whom are successful entrepreneurs) and their families and help them to plan their finances, whether that is post business exit or helping them to make the most of their asset base whilst they are still working. Having worked in the financial services over a decade, Sandra is well-connected across both corporate and business eco-systems.

 Sandra moved to UK from Lithuania in 2010 and she is familiar with the concept of fighting for her place under the sun. She believes that having a clear vision and being pleasantly persistent helped her to achieve her dreams. Sandra is very passionate about diversity and equality. She was part of the project that changed the Lithuanian Constitution in 2013 to include LGBT rights. She is actively involved in various organisations, namely Future Asset, GAIN – Girls Are INvestors & Founders4Schools where she is a popular speaker at their events and mentors a number of students.

When not at work, Sandra can be found lifting heavy weights in the gym. Sandra has held a number of national records in powerlifting and won Lithuania’s strongest woman competition in 2020. She also participates in the dog sport with her beloved German Shepherd Zara.

Brendan is CFO of a high growth ESG technology business, Utopi, where he overseas all aspects of the company’s finance, funding, HR and legal. Over the last 25 years, Brendan has passionately supported high-growth companies, helping founders and entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and raise external funding. Initially, this was as a Corporate Finance advisor, and latterly as CFO of several well know Scottish technology businesses.

Whilst not at work, Brendan can either be found hiking up a mountain, patiently waiting for the right light for photography, or walking his 2 year old cocker spaniel – and sometimes trying to do all three things at once!