Derek was previously a consultant and trainer for the outdoors. Before that he was Manager of Cumbria Outdoors for Cumbria County Council and the former Director for Fellside Outdoor Education Centre. Highly qualified in yachting and mountaineering he also has considerable experience in canoeing. Derek was National Secretary of the Association of Heads of Outdoor Centres for five years as well as the first Secretary of the Northern Council for Outdoor Education Training and Recreation. An ex member of the Mountain Leader Training Board he now sits on the Duke of Edinburgh Expedition Advisory Panel, and was an external verifier for the RSA and City & Guilds of London Institute.