FOUNDER

Neil was medically discharged from the Army after 11 years of service having lost both legs above the knee in 2004 following a suicide bomb attack whilst deployed in Iraq. Neil used sporting challenge and adventurous pursuits to aid his physical and mental recovery. Since his injuries Neil has competed in triathlons, rowed across the Atlantic, climbed the Matterhorn, become a scuba diving instructor and kayaked the 2000km ‘inside passage' in North America.

In 2016 Neil felt that he had reached an advantaged stage of his own rehabilitation and wanted to help other Injured, wounded and sick (WIS) veterans with their recovery. He set up Climb 2 Recovery to provide long term opportunities for WIS veterans to compliment clinical support.

Having stood down as CEO in 2023 to pursue other career opportunities Neil remains actively involved with C2R.

CHAIRPERSON

Alex joined the Royal Marines in 1995 and has served on operations around the globe. Since leaving in 2016 he has held senior appointments in Atkins and is currently the Chief Operating Officer of RMI Global Solutions. He is a keen telemark skier, ski tourer and an enthusiast for the outdoors.

TRUSTEE

Lucy is a registered practitioner psychologist working within the NHS as part of a community mental health team. Before qualifying with a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, she completed Stage 1 Sport and Exercise Psychology training through the British Psychological Society, along with a master’s degree in the same field. Her academic and professional path has been shaped by a lifelong connection to sport — from over two decades as a competitive figure skater to years of climbing and mountaineering alongside her father.

That shared passion for the outdoors culminated in summiting Mont Blanc together in 2018, raising funds for Cancer Research UK — a deeply meaningful achievement for Lucy. Her dual background in elite sport and mental healthcare has given her a unique perspective on the therapeutic potential of physical activity. This inspired her doctoral research, which focused on the experiences of veterans using climbing as a means to process combat-related trauma.

Lucy first became aware of the transformative power of sport in the veteran community through the Invictus Games. Since then, she has been driven to understand and promote the ways physical activity — especially in outdoor and communal settings — can support recovery and reconnection for those living with psychological injuries. Her values and expertise make her an invaluable part of the Climb 2 Recovery team.

TRUSTEE

Alex is a Partner at SparkBeyond, an AI Technology business. In parallel to his career in startups and technology, Alex is the co-founder of Row2Recovery. On 25 Jan 2012, Alex and a crew that included 4 amputee servicemen rowed into Port St Charles in Barbados. It was a culmination of a 2637mile voyage which took 50 days to complete and 2 years to plan and prepare. The campaign would go on to raise over £1m for the service charities. Alex served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Captain in the Parachute Regiment. He has a Law Degree from the University of Edinburgh.

TRUSTEE

Having trained at Sandhurst, John began his career as an officer in the Coldstream Guards. His military career spanned eight years and saw him in a diverse number of leadership roles from public duties in London to emergency tours in Northern Ireland. He also saw postings in Hong Kong, Brunei and Cyprus.

John left the military to start a family with his wife, Emma (founder of the international interior design studio, Sims Hilditch). Soon he combined his love for home and family with his independent spirit and founded Neptune, a furniture and lifestyle brand, in 1996 with his friend, Giles Redman. The company started in the corner of a sitting room with an idea for a hammock. Over the last 23 years Neptune has evolved into a leading home lifestyle brand with its own highly skilled manufacturing serving stores across the UK and into Europe.

John lives in the same Wiltshire village where he and Emma started their life together. He is an avid sailor and is father to artist daughters, Daisy and Betty and son Billy who’s studying languages at university.

TRUSTEE

Ben is an experienced operations and programme leader with a background in technology and highly regulated industries. Currently, Ben is the Head of Programmes at Deep Research Laboratories, where he established and runs the programme management function. Previously, he led operational transformation programmes at Newton Europe, improving submarine build processes and healthcare integration.

Ben served in the Army for two decades deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine and the West Bank, as well as living in both Germany and Devon before finishing up on the staff at Defence Academy in Shrivenham.

As a Trustee and member of Climb to Recovery, Ben is enthusiastic about contributing his skills in strategy, planning, and project management to support the charity's mission of aiding injured service people and veterans through community, physical challenges, and long-term goals. As a novice climber, he is eager to learn new skills and deepen his connections with the forces community.

TRUSTEE

Mac Served in the British Army from 1971 to 2000 in both training and operational roles. Mac promoted from Soldier to Warrant Officer 1st Class before Commissioning as an Officer. Notable appointments include the Officer Commanding the Joint Services Adventure Training Centres, being a Royal Physical Training Officer, a Master at Arms, a Company Commander at ATR Lichfield HQ, and a Staff Officer at the Tri-Service Accident Investigation Unit.

Whilst serving in the Army Mac qualified as a military mountain guide and a civilian International Federation Mountain Guides Association guide and ski guide. Following his career in the military Mac established MacKay Adventure Consultants Limited as Managing Director, an advisory and support consultancy for mountain activities around the world.

Mac has also served as the President of the British Mountain Guides; a committee member and lead for the British Standards Institute concerning ISO Adventure Tourism standards and competence; and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

TRUSTEE

After 23 years as an Officer in the Royal Marines Nick now specialises in helping teams and team leaders in achieving their maximum potential. Whilst in the Royal Marines Nick saw operational tours of duty in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Afghanistan. He commanded teams at a number of levels, finishing his time as the Commanding Officer of the 1,700 strong Commando Training Centre at Lympstone in Devon.

In 2003 Nick lead the Royal Navy Everest North Ridge expedition to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the mountain’s first ascent. As well as putting two team members onto the summit his team rescued two injured climbers from a commercial expedition and six members of Nick’s team (including Nick) were awarded the Royal Humane Society’s Bronze Medal. In 2005 Nick was made an OBE as a result of his work on the project.

Nick resigned his commission in 2005 in order to train as a science teacher at his local Community College, something that he describes as being ‘far harder than commando training’! He now works as a freelance consultant and coach concentrating on team and leadership performance as well as the delivery of inspirational talks based on his experiences as a leader. He is also a mountain instructor and runs summer and winter climbing courses throughout the UK, and guides and coaches sea kayaking.

TRUSTEE

Kristian served as an Army Infantry Officer for 12 years, completing operational tours in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Iraq as a Platoon Commander and Operations Officer. He was also an instructor at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and a Staff Officer at the Army Headquarters and left the Army in 2012.

Building on his military experience, Kristian forged a second career in business transformation, working on a projects and programmes in utilities, retail, government departments, and now marketing and advertising, where he is a Strategy and Portfolio Director with one of the world's largest holding companies. Kristian has extensive experience in strategic planning, governance, and transformation management.

In addition to professional achievements, Kristian also challenges himself physically and has taken part in a wide range of outdoor sports, including: kayaking, running, swimming, triathlon, skiing, hill walking, mountain biking, SUPing, sailing, and more. Kristian lives with his wife, two children and various pets in Wiltshire.

With a strong background in leadership and a passion for the outdoors and making a positive impact, Kristian brings valuable insights and expertise to the charity's board.