About us | Leaders

LEADERS

Our leaders are drawn from an experienced team that includes:

Lorraine Craig a geologist who has spent 19 seasons carrying out geological mapping work in Northeast Greenland for the Greenland Geological Survey, in Svalbard for Cambridge Arctic Shelf Programme and in Ellesmere Island. She is currently Senior Tutor at Imperial College London and was previously Head of Research and Higher Education at the Royal Geographical Society. A microlight pilot but just about average skier, she loves travelling in Greenland and is an expert at reading the landscape.

Kathleen Cartwright a scientist who spent over 20 years working for biotechnology companies. During her holidays she travelled extensively and developed a great interest in wildlife. As a result of her previous visits to the Arctic she founded Arcturus Expeditions, with Robert Burton and Neville Cartwright, thirteen years ago. A Russian speaker, she has led more than 30 expeditions to Arctic Russia as well as over 40 to Greenland.

Robert Burton a natural history writer who started his career in the Antarctic and later switched his interests to the Arctic, taking part in three expeditions to Northeast Greenland and Arctic Canada. This has given him wide experience of polar wildlife, especially the birds and mammals. He led expeditions for our predecessor, Erskine Expeditions and was until recently a director of Arcturus Expeditions. He also lectures on cruises to the Antarctic and Arctic. He has been awarded the Polar Medal.

Odd-Knut Thoresen has been driving dogs in northern Norway for many years. He breeds and now owns over 50 huskies and arranges expeditions through the Scandinavian wilderness. He is an excellent cook and humorist, particularly under the rigorous conditions of camping during an Arctic winter. He has spent the last few summers building his home in the Nordic style and including the facilities on his farm to include a sauna, hot tub and fire house for the benefit of his clients.

Bill Hankinson ex-RAF officer who ran scientific projects on Ellesmere Island including first use of microlight aircraft for polar air photography he was awarded Polar Medal for development of science on non-professional expeditions.

Tim Stott a kayaker, cross-country skier and mountain climber who lectures in geomorphology in Liverpool and escapes as often as he can to undertake fieldwork. Tim has led expeditions to Svalbard for British Schools Exploring Society, and travelled in northern Scandinavia.

Kevin De Silva Carpenter based in North Wales and team leader with Ogwen Mountain Rescue Team. An experienced boat handler, mountaineer, leader of youth expeditions and novice dog driver, with experience of Greenland, Svalbard, Nepal and Antarctica, Kevin can repair anything the client breaks - whatever the location or weather.

Frank Ryding Medical adviser to the Red Cross and previously a doctor with British Antarctic Survey, Frank has worked from Mogadishu to Kabul via Cambodia, Chechnya and Siberia. A true polymath, his experience includes learning Russian from the Soviet Army and acting as anaesthetist to elephant seals.

Synnoeve Elvevold a Sami, living with her family in northern Norway, combines a geological career in Greenland, Svalbard, and Antarctica with skiing in the winter, and hiking in the summer. She is very knowledgeable about Sami culture and her skills include shooting and cooking local produce.