2011 Survey

Pen Hadow

Project Director

In 2003, Pen Hadow entered the record books when he became the first and only person to trek solo, and without resupply by aircraft, from Canada to the North Geographic Pole.

His first polar experience dates back to 1989, when, while working for a sports agency, he partnered a explorer photographing polar bears on the edge of the Arctic Ocean. Since then, Pen has clocked up more than 15 years of polar experience.

In 1997 Pen organised the first all-women’s relay to the North Pole, thereby enabling 20 women, with no previous polar experience and from all backgrounds and age groups, to reach the Pole with the assistance of female polar guides. Pen led the first Catlin Arctic Survey in 2009. For his role in the expedition, Pen became one of Time magazine’s Heroes of the Environment, along with colleagues Ann Daniels and Martin Hartley.

Chip Cunliffe

Head of Operations

As the Head of Operations, Chip is responsible for the successful integration of safety, scientific research and communication on the Catlin Arctic Survey.

Chip draws on a diverse background including 12 years of planning and leading expeditions to enable the delivery of scientific missions in some of the world’s most challenging environments. He develops trusted relationships with key partners, and is a meticulous planner.

Chip’s passion for the environment underpins his commitment to the Catlin Arctic Survey.  Leading a project that makes a positive contribution to science and helps to engage the general public is the most interesting part of his job, but he also enjoys opportunities that come his way to work, quite literally, at the top of the world.

Tim Cullingford

Science Programmes Manager

Tim is the Science Programmes Manager for the Catlin Arctic Survey, responsible for liaison between the research scientists, explorers and the media.

He gained his Bachelor of Science in biochemistry at Imperial College London, and his doctorate PhD at Kings College London. He has experience in coordinating international collaborative research and has presented extensively at international meetings.  He also holds a Masters of Science in environmental technology from Imperial College, London, UK.

Tim ran the peer review process for the science to be undertaken on the Catlin Arctic Survey. He ensures that rigorous scientific protocols and data interpretation is maintained throughout the mission and addressing issues peculiar to extreme-condition research.

Kai Schiefelbein

Expedition Manager

Growing up in South Africa and spending most of his youth outdoors, Kai has always had a passion for the natural world. He moved to London after studying business management and economics to pursue a career in a related field. But it wasn’t long before he was drawn back to outdoor adventures.

Kai took up a position as an Expedition Leader on various tropical coral reef research and conservation projects, and a rainforest conservation project. Six years on, he moved into the management of multiple research and conservation projects in the Philippines, Cambodia, Tobago and Papua New Guinea.As the new Expedition Manager for the Catlin Arctic Survey, Kai has taken on the exciting challenge of an arctic expedition – where conditions will be quite different to what he is used to!

Laura Coles

Operations Manager

After gaining her degree in English language and literature, Laura went off on a travelling expedition travelling around Thailand, Australia and New Zealand.

After returning to the Northern Hemisphere, she spent four years alternating between Verbier, Switzerland for the winter ski season and working for Ferrari at the Formula 1 Grand Prix over the summer.

As Operations Manager for the Catlin Arctic Survey, her responsibilities include preparation, planning and logistics for the Catlin Ice Base. She oversees the movement of freighted equipment, liaising with overseas suppliers and official bodies, and liaises with Catlin Ice Base staff and scientists.

Claire Margetts

Operations Manager

Claire graduated with an LLB in law. In between investigating international legalities behind the Arctic Ocean and writing her dissertation, she learned how to surf, fly light aircraft and obtain her motor racing license.

Reluctant to be tamed by the prospect of a courtroom, she slaked her thirst for travel. She has independently worked, trekked and explored her way around the world, including visiting the highest and iciest points of Patagonia, cycling around Asia, sailing down the Amazon and snowboarding in New Zealand.

Claire is responsible for the logistics and coordination of the Explorer Team. She organised their training, sourced and customized their kit, secured sponsors and organised everything logistically possible to get them ready for the ice.

Rod Macrae

Head of Communications

2011 marks the third Catlin Arctic Survey Rod has been involved in. He’s a former broadcaster and, after training at the BBC, worked as a producer on Radio 4, including the ‘Start the Week’ and ‘You and Yours’ programmes. He also worked on Radio 1 and Radio 2.

As a TV news reporter and correspondent he’s worked for ITV and Reuters in the UK and USA, and covered the Kosovo war during the Balkans conflict.

He was appointed Director of Communications at Greenpeace International and has now gone on to specialise as a consultant in sustainable and environmental communications.

Dominic Hilton

Head of Online Communications

Dominic has been hooked on all things ‘adventure’ since the age of 11, when he first read Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ epic account of his crossing of Antarctica.

Having graduated from Leeds University with a French and Italian degree, Dominic then secured a job as a journalist and travelled throughout Africa, the Middle-East and Asia for three years.

Upon his return to the UK he decided that a job in the ‘polar’ industry would be a sensible career path. The first stage of his master plan involved writing letters to the major UK-based polar explorers (all four of them). Pen made the mistake of sending back a typically polite reply, which then prompted a sustained bombardment of emails and phone calls. Dominic has now worked with Pen for the past four years.

Heidi Stedman

Communications Manager/Web Editor

Despite a greater familiarity with penguins than polar bears, Heidi has swapped her Southern Hemisphere roots for all things Northern.

After completing degrees in business and the arts, she worked in both media relations and online communications roles for the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment, and universities in New Zealand and Scotland. She’s passionate about communicating science and sustainability, and has found a dream job in talking about the Catlin Arctic Survey to as many people as possible.

Martin Rhodes

Expedition Doctor

A qualified doctor with particular expertise in polar and high altitude medicine, Dr Martin Rhodes has combined a medical career with adventure and exploration. He has accompanied expeditions to the Himalayas, South America, the Arctic and Antarctica.

As well as the Catlin Arctic Survey, Martin is Chief Medical Officer for two extreme-environment logistics companies and runs a gîte in the French Pyrenees. He describes himself as a mountain addict and will forever be drawn to running, cycling, skiing, climbing, snowshoeing and dog-sledding.

Carol Ruddock

Head of Finance

Carol trained in economics and accountancy followed by several years working with American banks in London where she gained varied experience in fields including securitisation, credit card finance and big ticket leasing.

Since then she has undertaken the accounting and finance function within many diverse businesses but the Catlin Arctic Survey is, by far, her most northern client.

Jon Stratford

Explorer Team Fitness Training

After completing 14 years in the Royal Marines, Jon established Commando Active, through which he provides one-on-one and group personal training.  He draws on his wealth of experience from working and operating all over the world and from his time as a Physical Training Instructor within the Royal Marines to develop individuals, groups, teams and organisations in their health and fitness, but also in confidence building and improving organisational dynamics.

He is an expert in expedition fitness, weight management, pre and post natal exercise and sports specific training and has worked with clients to achieve a wide variety of goals. Jon works with the Explorer Team to prepare them for their arduous expedition.