Meet the Team
Believing that our core values of passion, care, support, generosity and authenticity are the best way to run our business they thread their way through everything we do. Steve and Emma lead a team of trainers and freelancers, all of whom are just as passionate about the sector and Vertex as they are.
Their trainers come from a variety of backgrounds, making them a unique, diverse and hugely talented team. It is this team who enable Vertex to deliver excellence to their clients - whether you’re a small independent business or a global firm we have the experience and skills to help.!
When we hit our busiest time of year, usually between March and June, our training team is supplemented by additional ERCA Trainers who work for companies based in the UK and Ireland, as well as a small pool of MIAs and MICs.
-
Steve Woods, Co-Owner & Director
Steve's engaging manner, enthusiasm, knowledge and experience has propelled Vertex to become the top training & consultancy company in Europe.
He brings decades of technical and training experience and is one of the UK representatives on the CEN Committee developing the European Safety Standard EN 15567 for Ropes Courses. He was ERCA’s first Director of Training and continues to play a key role in developing the industry training syllabus still in use today. His engaging style and passion have made him one the most respected trainers, advisors and sought after expert witnesses in the sector
-
Emma Bell, Co-Owner & Director
Emma has worked in the outdoor industry for over 25 years, and been with Vertex since 2014 when she and Steve went into business together.
Emma is a highly experienced professional in the outdoor recreation and education sector, with more than 25 years in the industry. She brings strong financial, commercial, and strategic business expertise to Vertex, ensuring the company operates with clarity, resilience, and long-term vision. Her pragmatic, highly organised leadership underpins Vertex’s continued growth and stability, enabling the business to expand its reach while maintaining the highest professional standards.
-
Jim Bacon - Director
Jim is based in Kent and has a long career in the ropes course and adventure park industry and joined the Vertex leadership team in July 2022.
Jim's role is to support our clients and trainers to deliver off-ground adventurous activities across the world. Before joining Vertex he worked at Zip World as their as Health, Safety and Technical Training Advisor. He has a wealth of operational, training & technical knowledge and expertise and ablely supports our clients and trainers in a range of areas. He is currently a Master Trainer for ERCA and has sat on the ERCA General Board for many years contributing to the development of the training syllabus and other ERCA initiatives.
Known for his calm approach and technical knowledge, Jim is passionate about helping learners progress and succeed in the outdoor industry. His dedication to safety, professionalism, and personal development makes him a valued member of the Vertex team and a trusted mentor for those beginning or advancing their careers in outdoor instruction
-
Phil Latham, Director
Phil is based in the Lakes and has worked in the outdoor recreational and leisure sector for many years, including General Manager for Tree Top Trek.
Phil plays a key role in supporting clients, operators, and organisations to develop, manage, and grow safe and effective adventure activities. His background includes significant leadership within large-scale adventure operations, where he has overseen site management, project delivery, staff recruitment, and the implementation of robust systems and procedures.
He currently sits on the ERCA General Board as the Training Bodies representative. He carries out assessments and delivers our Manager's Course to a range of clients across the UK and Ireland.
At Vertex, Phil applies his industry knowledge to enhance operational efficiency, support client growth, and contribute to the development of new training programmes, particularly for managers and senior staff within the sector. Known for his strategic insight and practical approach, he is passionate about raising standards, improving performance, and helping organisations deliver high-quality, safe, and sustainable off-ground activities.
-
Joe O'Hare, Trainer
Joe is a dedicated trainer who brings a strong passion for adventure, experiential learning, and high-quality instructor development.
With a background rooted in the outdoors, Joe is committed to helping aspiring instructors build confidence, competence, and a genuine love for working in outdoor environments.
His approach combines practical expertise with a supportive and engaging teaching style, ensuring learners gain both the technical skills and real-world understanding needed to succeed in the industry
Outside of Vertex, Joe works with CIC High Ropes for All which aims to ensure that high rope activities are available to anyone whatever their abilities. -
Eddy Young, Trainer
Eddy has a massive passion for the outdoors! Surfing, climbing, mountaineering, skydiving, running and biking: he loves them all.
Eddy started climbing at the age of 10 years old! Since then has climbed in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Norway, Thailand, China, Vietnam, not forgetting the UK.
He started working in the outdoor industry in 1998 after attending Bicton Outdoor College where he was the best practical student! After 10 years of working in the outdoor industry he has gained a huge collection of qualifications including BMC Fundamentals 1 & 2, NLP Core Skills, PPE Inspector, Wire Ropes Inspector, MIA and Winter Mountain Leader.
Eddy runs his own business Youngs Adventure Solutions and is a qualified ERCA Trainer for both Traditional Ropes Courses and Adventure Parks and an ERCA Master Trainer.
In his spare time Eddy can be found hanging off a cliff, surfing on the south coast or drinking coffee planning his next adventure. -
Kerry Jury, Trainer
Kerry has been working in the outdoor industry for over 25 years as well as being the first and only female ERCA Master Trainer.
She has worked in a variety of locations including Scotland, north Wales, Cornwall and Hong Kong and is now runs her own business Venture First Aid Training as well as freelancing for outdoor providers.
Travel-wise, Kerry has travelled extensively in south east Asia and New Zealand, and did a big trip across the north of China, into Pakistan down the Karakoram Highway and into India.
Qualifications include 1st Aid Trainer, BCU level 2 kayak coach, SPA, ERCA Trainer and PPE Inspector, Mountain bike leader, rescue and self belay qualifications.
Kerry is also a member of the local coastguard team which do search and rescue, water rescue and cliff rescues. When she isn't working, being a mum, or busy with the coastguard Kerry likes to get out on her mountain bike, do adventure races, climbing and lots of walking along the coast path. -
Adam Cooke, Trainer
Rowenna grew up in North Wales and is a keen runner, and lover of outdoor swimming, mountain biking, climbing, paddle boarding and yoga
After studying English at Manchester Metropolitan University, she was interested in the idea of teaching others, and the love of the outdoors drew her to her first instructing role at an activity centre for kids. From there, she moved to the heart Snowdonia, Llanberis, and worked at Zip World for over 6 years, training new and old instructors at all 3 of Zip World’s sites. Eager to continue learning new things and pushing her comfort zones, she recently qualified as a Water Rescue One Technician, which she will hopefully use one day to teach others
In 2018 she gained her ERCA Trainer qualification and started work for Vertex. She loves travelling to all parts of the country and meeting the array of people she has to train and enjoys the buzz of when she is able to make sense of something they didn’t understand before, giving them a new skill and experience -
Rowenna Cardy, Trainer
Rowenna grew up in North Wales and is a keen runner, and lover of outdoor swimming, mountain biking, climbing, paddle boarding and yoga
After studying English at Manchester Metropolitan University, she was interested in the idea of teaching others, and the love of the outdoors drew her to her first instructing role at an activity centre for kids. From there, she moved to the heart Snowdonia, Llanberis, and worked at Zip World for over 6 years, training new and old instructors at all 3 of Zip World’s sites. Eager to continue learning new things and pushing her comfort zones, she recently qualified as a Water Rescue One Technician, which she will hopefully use one day to teach others
In 2018 she gained her ERCA Trainer qualification and started work for Vertex. She loves travelling to all parts of the country and meeting the array of people she has to train and enjoys the buzz of when she is able to make sense of something they didn’t understand before, giving them a new skill and experience -
Rob Kennard, Trainer
Rob studied Geology, Coastal Geomorphology and Ecology at University and is an active climber.
He runs his own businses Portland Climbing and has been an instructor for over 29 years, working with adults and children in a group environment as well as in a one-to-one coaching setting. He creates a great atmosphere to enable, enthuse as well as enhance and validate knowledge.
His use of empathy and enthusiasm creates an opportunity to inspire performance in a safe and affable way.
-
Rod Baber, Trainer
Rod is a high ropes and climbing professional with over 25 years of experience in the adventure and off-ground activities sector.
He delivers ERCA instructor and rescue courses for Vertex and is a former semi-professional mountaineer and world record holder, bringing a unique depth of real-world experience to his training and mentoring.
Rod is also a passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion within the adventure industry, drawing on personal experience to help organisations create more inclusive and supportive activity provision.
-
Paul Capper, Trainer
Paul has worked in the ropes course industry since 1994 as a trainer, constructor and inspector. He is one of Europe's leading ropes course inspectors.
Through his own business Capstone Inspections he carries out inaugural, periodical and operational inspections for 1000s of operators across the UK and Europe.
He is an accredited wire rope examiner, qualified tree surgeon, PPE inspector and has an industrial ropes access qualification. He also holds an inspection certificate from Drop Zone to inspect the Powerfan.