Building the global standard
for climbing education.

Andy is a serial entrepreneur with a career built on taking technology companies from idea to global scale. Uniquely qualified across both finance and software engineering, he brings a rare combination of commercial rigour and technical depth to the businesses he builds and backs.

Having spent the last decade supporting technology startups from inception to scale, Andy has the pattern recognition of someone who has navigated every stage of the startup journey multiple times over. His work spans ventures including Lucid Games and Sentric Music.

As Chair of Global Climbing Standard, Andy provides strategic oversight and brings his experience of scaling technology businesses to bear as GCS establishes itself as the Global Standard for climbing education and certification.

Nick is an experienced business leader and strategist with a career spanning leisure, retail, and management consulting, built on a consistent track record of delivering commercial results in complex, multi-site environments. Trained in a FTSE100 management programme and holding a degree in Economics from the University of Essex, he combines sharp financial acumen with the operational instincts of someone who has led businesses from the ground up.

His career includes senior leadership roles across the leisure and fitness sector, where he consistently delivered double-digit profit growth, and a decade as a management consultant working with global clients on operational and strategic briefs. As Managing Director of a national climbing awards charity, Nick spent seven years at the centre of the indoor climbing industry, developing a deep understanding of the standards, governance, and commercial frameworks that underpin it.

Now showcasing his capability on a global scale, Nick joins Global Climbing Standard as Chief Executive Officer, leading the international growth strategy and driving the expansion of the GCS network as the platform establishes itself as the definitive standard for climbing education and certification worldwide.

Rob brings 25 years of senior leadership across high-growth, fast-scaling businesses. His career spans some of the UK's most ambitious retail and technology scale-ups, where he has operated consistently at board level, driving organisational design and enabling businesses to grow without breaking.

As Chief Operating Officer of Global Climbing Standard, Rob leads the operational build of the business, translating the GCS vision into commercial reality and driving the go-to-market strategy. He supports the growth of Regional Partners, acting as the conduit between the central GCS team and regional operations to ensure the platform scales efficiently and consistently across international markets.

Jez brings over 20 years of experience at the heart of the indoor climbing industry. As former Regional Climbing Manager and Head of Climbing at one of the UK's busiest indoor climbing centres, he has operated at the intersection of commercial performance, coaching standards, and centre management throughout his career.

Academically qualified with an undergraduate degree in Sports Development and Coaching and a Masters in Sports and Business Management, Jez combines deep technical expertise with genuine commercial acumen. He has a passion for safeguarding, governance, safety compliance, and the development of coaching programmes at both local, national and international level.

As Chief Commercial Officer of Global Climbing Standard, Jez leads partnership development and brings unmatched experience and credibility with climbing centres, federations, and governing bodies worldwide.

With a background in strategic communications, public relations, brand development and digital marketing, Sam has spent her career helping organisations build strong brands, engage their audiences and communicate with clarity. Having worked across agency, in-house and entrepreneurial environments, she has led communications programmes for businesses ranging from start-ups to established organisations in the sport, leisure, hospitality and consumer sectors.

Sam leads the framework that connects the central GCS brand to regional delivery, supporting Regional Partners with the tools, messaging, and guidance they need to grow their networks effectively. Her work ensures that GCS speaks with one voice, regardless of geography.

Working closely with the leadership team and Regional Partners, Sam is responsible for safeguarding the GCS brand, strengthening stakeholder engagement and developing communication systems that support sustainable international growth. Her focus is on ensuring that every centre, coach, parent and partner experiences a clear, consistent and trusted GCS journey, wherever they are in the world.

Kamir brings over a decade of people and talent management experience across the UK and Pakistan, with a career spanning technology, retail, and venture-backed businesses in both markets. Holding an MSc in Human Resource Management, he has built a reputation for creating the people frameworks and HR infrastructure that allow fast-moving businesses to scale without losing their culture.

His experience leading teams between the UK and Pakistan gives him a natural fluency in the cross-border people practices, employment frameworks, and cultural considerations that come with building a globally distributed workforce.

As Chief People Officer of Global Climbing Standard, Kamir leads the people strategy - talent, culture, and HR systems - that supports GCS's international network, ensuring the organisation attracts, develops, and looks after the right people as it scales across global markets.