Chris Lait
late REME
Academy Principal
Managing Director
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Chris joined the Army in 1987 and has served in UK, Northern Ireland, Germany and Afghanistan. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy's Late Entry Commissioning Course in 2004 before retiring to form the Drake Academy.
During basic training Chris was exposed to Adventure as a training methodology for the first time. During these formative years it was possible to chart the benefits and reflect on their undoubted effect. He went on to qualify as a Yachtmaster at 27, since then, he has participated and organised expeditions all over the globe. In 1999 he learned the true value of his Leadership Training when the yacht he was racing across the Atlantic almost sunk. The yacht was 'jury-rigged' and limped safely to the Azores. The crews' ability to work together as a team was central to the success of this self-rescue but, with a leadership role thrust upon him, it was here that Chris benefited fully from the confidence and capability that Adventure Training had given him.
Chris is now studying in his final year of a Masters in Business Administration with the University of Northampton. As the founder of the Drake Academy, he now aspires to bring the benefits of "training through adventure" to a wider audience.
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Maj Gen
James Short 9/12L
Chair of
Advisory Board
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James' appointments included: a strategic analyst in the Cabinet Office; a specialist security adviser to the Police; a Project Manager for vehicle procurement in the MOD and a strategic security adviser in the Balkans. For NATO, he planned and delivered the Alliance’s first joint, multi-national, operational-level headquarters training establishment.
He has run multi-million pound budgets within the MOD and been responsible for delivering resource accounting and budgeting management planning. He worked closely as the key link with British defence companies during the first Gulf War delivering urgent the operational requirements programme.
Currently he helps companies to develop their organizational structures to improve output, by providing a distinctive methodology for growth. His main focus is on innovation, inspiration and motivation to create profitability. He brings a unique outlook on the planning for and delivery of decisive objectives. His aim is to deliver business improvement through mentoring at Board-level.
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Harby Janagol
Non-Exec Director
Advisor Board Member
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We are extremely pleased to have Harby on the crew as Non Executive Director. We are able to benefit from his considerable experience and network from advising companies on launching into Hong Kong, China and India to provide expertise to a portfolio of companies in these markets.
Harby also sources entrepreneurial investment opportunities in the UK. He recently retired as a Board member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in 2012 and currently serves as a Non-Executive Director of Hong Kong company LED listed on AIM. He has held various non-exec Director and Interim FD appointments in the past held various non-exec Director and Interim FD appointments in the past.
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Drewe Lacey
Advisor Board Member
Non Exec Director
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Drewe has enjoyed two past careers: the first in Manufacturing Industry and Commerce, in the UK and Internationally and the second primarily in Financial Services in the UK and Switzerland. Worked for Ford Motor and BTR PLC with an emphasis on Marketing, Business Development and M&A; lived for 5 years in Bahrain and the UAE setting up businesses across Arabia. Founded Alchemy Wealth Management in 1996 and sold to Portland Financial Management Group in 2009. This Company provides financial planning and discretionary investment management services on a fee basis to individuals, directors, and business owners.
Drewe is looking forward his challenge at Drake Academy where he hopes to bring a wealth of experience and personality to this growing business, providing Mentoring and Coaching to the Managing Partners of an ambitious Joint Venture.
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Adrian Clark RLC
Chief Operating Officer
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Adrian spent his formative years uprighting Mirror Dinghies on the River Hamble before progressing to sitting on the rail of ton class yachts racing around the cans of the Solent. After school at Embley Park (Hampshire Collegiate) he joined his father in the family firm trading fruit and vegetables. Needing a change from business with its hard graft, astonishingly early mornings and limited leisure time he went off to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst to round off his education with hard graft, early mornings and limited leisure time.
His military duties have taken him to the shadows of the Hindu Kush, the deserts of Arabia and the warm waters of the Caribbean. He has managed cargo handling operations in Europe and the Middle East, planned and resourced training for our army reserves, written Defence logistic policy and provided liaison for senior military commanders such as General David Petraeus. Today he serves as an Officer Commanding with the Welsh Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps.
Adrian is a MOD Bridge Watchkeeper and an RYA Ocean Yachtmaster. He has crossed the Atlantic under sail from west to east, sailed the Canary Islands and the beautiful waters surrounding the Caribbean Island of Belize. Adrian loves a well executed merpass (meridian passage)! He enjoys writing about the people of his hometown Bristol, where he lives with his wife Jo. They have two sons, Joshua (20) Cornelius (18).
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Scott Fulcher
late REME
Sailing Principal
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Scott spent the majority of his childhood in and around the waters of the UK as a very active member of the Sea Cadet Corps. His love for sailing developed on board Training Ship Royalist – The Sea Cadets two masted Brigantine ship. Every year Scott sailed on her with a passion of becoming the Bosuns Mate which he achieved in 1993 after the Tall Ships Race. His natural leadership ability was ever present from an early age and he rose quickly to the rank of Petty Officer Cadet with the honour of serving as the Lord Lieutenants Cadet for Avon in 1994.
Scott served his local RNLI station for five years as a crewman before taking up a career and subsequently a career with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in 2001 and went on to serve in theaters around the world including Germany, Cyprus, Turkey, Kuwait and on operations in Iraq.
On completion of his military career, Scott took up a new and demanding but very rewarding teaching career at Bridgwater’s College within the Heavy Vehicle department. Scott now aims to bring his passion for sailing and teaching to the Drake Academy.
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Simon Mansfield REME
Training Principal
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Simon spent his youth growing up on the Red Sea gaining a real passion for the water. He spent all his spare time enjoying windsurfing and dingy sailing around the coast of Jeddah. He joined the Army in 1987 and was fortunate have enjoyed a full career serving in UK, Germany, Cyprus, and more recently, an operational tour of Afghanistan. He commissioned in 2004 graduating from The Royal Military College Sandhurst Late Entry Commissioning Course in the same year. Simon is qualified as a Mountain Leader, RYA Windsurfing Instructor and Diving Instructor. He has had experience working in dedicated training centres ranging from the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean in Belize, to the crisp cool Austrian Alps.
Like other staff at the Drake Academy, Simon has enjoyed the benefits derived from the Army’s Adventure Training programme. He humbly acknowledges the impact this training has had on his career and, moreover, the more recent role it played developing and stretching those under his command. Amongst Simon’s many achievements is the award he received for outstanding contribution to the development of soldiers through the spirit of adventurous training. During this period he channeled over a thousand personnel through a challenging yet rewarding programme of activities. Fitness of body and mind are important to Simon and his family, he will be seen running around the Black Mountains with his wife and dog Buster whilst his two daughters take a leisurely walk behind.
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Isobel Blaikie
Business Development
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Emma Rowlands
Sales and Marketing
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Emma was educated at Sale Grammar School before embarking on a career as Sales Executive in the IT sector. Before joining the Drake Academy, she worked as a sales consultant and led a successful Sales Team at one of the countries leading IT companies.
Emma taken two career breaks investing time traveling and to begin a family. This former period took her to the corners of the globe where she was enjoyed immersing herself in the local culture. The highlight of her travels was certainly the time spent trekking in Katmandu. In addition to trekking and sailing, Emma also enjoys skiing.
Emma has taken a second career brake has seen her blessed with two young Children. She is now relishing the challenge working with the Drake Academy.
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