All activities are provided by fully qualified professionals, experienced with working with children and young adults.  Our centre staff are DBS-checked, with the centre offering the highest level of industry and activity-specific accreditation.

Mark leads our centre from the front, with seemingly boundless enthusiasm and a genuine passion for outdoor education and enriching the lives of children and young people.

Mark has over 20 years of experience within national youth organisations and programmes, sports coaching, and teaching, both primary and secondary. Prior to having a real job, Mark was a professional footballer; something he has clearly not given up on, given his preference for shorts over trousers, irrespective of the weather.

Mark will be your school’s primary point of contact, both at the booking and pre-arrival stage, and during your visit to the centre.

Chris is a real Porthpean OEC success story.

Starting at the centre in 2007, Chris graduated from the POEC winter instructor training course, going on to become a seasonal member of the team. Since then, Chris has steadily climbed the ladder, increasing his range of outdoor qualifications and widening his experience both at POEC and with other outdoor education providers. In 2023, Chris’ professionalism, dedication, and knowledge earned him the appointment as Activities Manager. We are stoked for Chris to be able to lead the team in a new chapter at Porthpean OEC.

Outside of work, Chris is a proud dad of two boys, both of whom are seemingly following in his footsteps with a love of the outdoors. Family aside, Chris is mad keen on anything water-based, with surfing and sea kayaking topping the list.

Susie has been an integral part of Porthpean OEC for three years, overseeing all things non-adventurous at the centre. Having stepped away from the fast pace of the corporate world for a more family and community-focused life in Cornwall, you will normally find Susie based at our centre reception, busy readying the troops or assisting schools and families, offering words of advice and comfort to all those who stop by.

Susie acts as the main point of contact for our Family Adventures and heads up community engagement at POEC; just two of her many hats.

Susie, now very much a local to the area, enjoys dipping her toes in the water, sea swimming throughout the year in various locations around the coast.