Our Consultant Trainers

Please see below our list of Consultant trainers and their impressive profiles:

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  Ben Starkie

  Director

  Founder of Water Rescue Scotland and has over 25 years of experience delivering technical rescue, water safety, and outdoor training across a wide range of sectors. As Lead instructor he is a certified Rescue 3 Europe Instructor, Ben is also an Advanced Swiftwater Rescue Technician and a qualified Rope Rescue, Ice Rescue, and Mud Rescue Instructor. His operational experience, combined with his technical expertise, enables him to deliver realistic, practical training based on current best practice. Ben is the founder of the UK Canyoning Association and has a strong background in developing outdoor training syllabuses and instructor qualifications. He is committed to ensuring training reflects current best practice, remains operationally relevant, and evolves with the latest industry standards and guidance. Throughout his career, Ben has developed and delivered training for emergency services, local authorities, outdoor professionals, charities, and commercial organisations. He has also designed bespoke programmes, including the Wild Swimmer Safety course and the Therapeutic Cold Water Therapy Instructor course, helping organisations develop the skills and confidence to work safely in and around water. Passionate about drowning prevention, Ben believes that education, practical skills, and informed decision-making are the most effective ways to reduce risk and save lives. This commitment underpins every course delivered by Water Rescue Scotland.

• 

  Sam Starkie

  Consultant and instructor

  Sam Starkie – Consultant & Instructor Sam Starkie has spent his career working in the outdoor industry, with a particular passion for the coastal environment. Through his company, Vertical Descents, he has delivered surf, coasteering, and coastal adventure training for many years, developing a wealth of practical experience in water safety and outdoor leadership. A certified SLS GB Lifeguard Trainer and National Coasteering Charter (NCC) Assessor. He delivers training in surf lifesaving, National Coasteering Charter awards, First Aid at Work, and sea kayaking, alongside providing safety cover and technical advisory services for events and outdoor organisations. Known for his practical, hands-on approach, Sam is committed to delivering high-quality training that reflects current best practice and gives delegates the confidence and skills to operate safely in coastal and water environments.

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  Joe Thurgood

  Instructor

  Joe – Consultant & Instructor Joe has been involved in the outdoor industry since 2005 and has worked as a specialist adventure guide since 2009. With extensive international experience, he specialises in canyon guiding and white water rafting, leading expeditions and delivering training throughout Scotland and Nepal. A certified Rescue 3 Europe Instructor, Joe delivers water rescue training across Scotland and Norway, alongside teaching Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, and expedition medical training to emergency services, outdoor professionals, and medics working in remote environments. During the winter season, Joe leads the Sirdal Ski Patrol in Norway, bringing extensive experience in mountain safety, casualty care, and rescue operations. His broad operational background, combined with his calm and practical teaching style, enables him to deliver engaging, realistic training that prepares delegates for challenging environments.

• 

  Mikey Clifford

  Staff Position

  Mikey has been a Firefighter with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, now the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service for eight years. Before, he worked full time in outdoor education and continues to work on a freelance basis. Mikey has been climbing and mountaineering for over twenty years and leading people in the outdoors for over seventeen.

• 

  James

  Rope Rescue Instructor

  James is our rope rescue expert. He loves rigging ropes for work solutions and rescue. James have been working as a rope technician since 2010 along with holding a level 3 IRATA he is a rescue 3 Rope rescue instructor and has attended multiple Ropes that rescue courses. James is also an aspirate swift water rescue instructor.