Who we are

The advance team

Jim is the Country Director here in Namibia. He is a fantastic chef and self confessed fan of ‘girlie’ music. He spent most of his youth in the great outdoors instead of in the classroom, but in spite of this he has managed to run several amazing expeditions in Ghana and Namibia and he wants this one to be the best ever!

Sophie is our Deputy Expedition Leader. She loved being a Project Manager so much during the spring expedition that she stayed to do it all again, but this time she’s in charge! Fieldbase’s resident It Girl adds a touch of glamour to expedition life and if you have a question, she is sure to know the answer.

Denise is looking after all of the admin for this expedition and plans to run a very tight ship here at Fieldbase. She is our resident chanteuse, a big fan of musical theatre and can occasionally be persuaded to sing a show tune or two. It would be a good idea to get on the right side of Denise as she looks after the money and is in charge of ordering chocolate and pop for the shop!

Fionna has come to Namibia as an Expedition Medic. She is a junior doctor and all round outdoor girl. She is into hiking, climbing and rather worryingly, early morning swims in the sea. She is also multilingual, widely travelled and can quote from all Disney Pixar films. Be nice to her and she’ll look after all of your medical needs!

Hanni has spent many years as a Project Manager and is our Logistics Manager for this expedition. She has recently packed up all of her worldly belongings and is living out of her car as she starts a year long tour of Africa, of which Raleigh is just the beginning. As an Austrian she is completely mystified by the rest of Fieldbase’s love of the Sound of Music and disappointingly, has never broken into song whilst crossing the Swiss border. Another person to make friends with as she orders the food!

My name is Marianne and I’m the Communications Officer for this expedition. I love animals, all things fair-trade and can’t say no to chocolate, ‘buy one get one free’ offers or people asking for money (especially if they have a dog). I’ll be the one asking for your news and stories from life on the project sites. It is best to comply as I am prepared to make it up!

The in country staff team

Opa is famous for being able to drive any vehicle, anytime, anywhere. In particular, he’ll be driving Tanya the truck to and from project sites. He is also Raleigh Namibia’s longest serving staff member so talk to him as he knows things that even Jim doesn’t know.

Michael provides trek support for us and is renowned throughout Raleigh for making the best maize meal ever. It is a very good idea to ask for his magic recipe before setting off onto project site, you’ll see why if you don’t!

Hendrick also provides trek support and is our resident wildlife expert. Ask him about his days as a child superhero and his encounter with the leopard.

Lenny is Raleigh’s building maestro who can take credit for 11 schools in Namibia. He’ll be invaluable on project site, but girls, don’t believe him when he tells you that he’s nineteen!

The Fieldbase team (If anyone can correctly identify all of us from the photo when they arrive, there may be a prize!)