Operations
Latest from the Operations Team
 | posted by Ops Room Sun 14 Mar, 18:21GMT
Talk Is Most Definitely Not Cheap
Having worked in the comms business for longer than I care to remember, I thought I knew a thing or two about the art of conveying information. But the soundbites, witticisms and lyrical waxings required in the dark world of advertising and promotion are next to useless when it comes to being Duty Comms Manager now that the Catlin Arctic Survey is underway.
The role of Duty Comms manager falls to one member of the wider comms team every week. Along with the Duty Director and Duty Operations Manager, we are the first line of contact for both the Ice Base and Explorer Teams. With the unpredictability of the Arctic environment, it means being on call 24/7, not only to undertake daily updates with the personnel on the ice, but also to be ready to react should anything untoward happen.
Today saw us take our first SITREP (situation report) with the first polar experts to have been deployed to the Ice Base. With the cost of satellite phone calls coming in far higher than a late-night quiz-TV hotline, talk is most definitely not cheap, and there was little time for anything other than the task at hand.
A checklist of the current location, status of the camp, the health and wellbeing of its personnel, the weather, intentions for the day, functionality of the comms equipment and any media requirements for the day was run through with military precision. Little wonder considering Ice Base Manager Simon Garrod, has over 16 years experience in the Polar environment and knows exactly how to run a tight ship. Or tent in this instance.
For an airy-fairy arty type such as myself, it’s going to take some getting used to, but I’m in very good company to learn the (guide) ropes. And there’s always the blog to wax lyrical in.
Written by Sal Thomas, Communications Manager.
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 | posted by Dom Hilton Fri 19 Feb, 11:27GMT
Project Go!
Science protocols – check. Kit and Clothing – check. Freight packed and sent – check. Website put live – check. Physical, medical and science training – check. Umpteen other things – check.
After 9 months of research, planning, training and more planning the Catlin Arctic Survey 2010 is limbering up and ready to get into the starting blocks.
Both the Ice Base and Explorer Teams have now left for the Canadian High Arctic and will be spending the next ten days or so in Resolute Bay, where they will be fine-tuning equipment, undergoing final training and enjoying their last few days of relative comfort and warmth.
This project is adopting a ‘two-pronged’ attack with data being collected by scientific personnel at a static Ice Base as well as by a team of polar explorers, who will be trekking across the surface of the frozen Arctic Ocean, collecting data as they go. The Survey will undertake vital research into how greenhouse gases could affect the marine life of the Arctic Ocean. In the time-honoured tradition of exploration, the mission connects scientists and explorers in the quest to advance scientific understanding of the world we live in. |
Operations Team
 Situated in London, the Operations Team are responsible for the day-to-day running of the project. Their focus is primarily on the safety and wellbeing of the team, but also organizing resupplies, team updates and the ongoing liaison with the behind-the-scenes experts and suppliers who are instrumental in keeping the Survey on track. The Operations Team are on call 24 hours a day throughout the expedition.  Situation ReportsThe average day centres around the Situation Report (SITREP) call from the Explorer Team. Calling in via satellite phone after they’ve prepared and eaten breakfast, they give details of the weather, their exact location, distance travelled, their physical and emotional states, their intentions for the day and any items to be included on the next resupply. Having studied both high resolution satellite imagery and weather charts of the Arctic Ocean, the Operations Team give the explorers the best information possible to inform their day’s trek. A similar call with the Ice Base Manager also ensures the scientists are coping with their unfamiliar Arctic lives. CommunicationWith so much going on out on the ice, there’s a host of stories, blogs, videos, images and podcasts being generated every day. The Operations Team is responsible for sorting through this wealth of media and getting the latest updates out to the appropriate people. This involves everything from liaising with the press, updating the website, keeping all stakeholders informed of developments and even passing on personal messages from the ice to friends and family. Scientific Data With the Explorer Team carrying out important scientific measurements and observations, this information needs to be captured, logged and, where appropriate, shared with the institutions involved for scientific analysis. This is done during the daily SITREPs.
Operations Team
ANABEL BELTRAN  Head of Programmes Anabel is the Project Manager for the Catlin Arctic Survey. Her responsibilities include creating and managing the overall project plan, with major focus on the master schedule and it's associated costs and risks. New to the team in December 2009, she has spent the past ten years managing large, cross-functional projects in the airline industry. Anabel is thrilled to be part of the Catlin Arctic Survey and says that it’s the enormous ‘complexity of delivery’ of this project that proves both challenging but also hugely exciting.
She recognises that Project Management is all about the people and says that it’s an honour to be heading up a team of such high-calibre individuals. ‘Ultimately, we all genuinely believe in what this project stands for and I can honestly say that my team inspires me every single day. I truly have the best job in the world’. LAURA COLES  International Operations Manager After gaining her degree in English Language and Literature and travelling around Thailand, Australia and New Zealand, the last four years of Laura’s life have been dictated by the changing of the seasons.
Her winters have been spent in Verbier, Switzerland working in a privately-owned luxury chalet and skiing as often as possible. Her summer seasons have been based around the globe following the Formula 1 Grand Prix calendar, working with the media and VIP Guests for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro.
Interspersed between these races Laura also worked for Buckinghamshire based Cavendish Events as an events manager for weddings and corporate events.
As International Operations Manager for the Catlin Arctic Survey, her responsibilities include preparation, planning and logistics for the trekking and Arctic Ocean Ice Base phase of the Catlin Arctic Survey, overseeing the movement of freighted equipment and personnel and liaising with overseas suppliers and official bodies. CHIP CUNLIFFE  Head of Operations Chip has spent the last 11 years working in the expedition world. His first taste came as a volunteer on a three month expedition to Patagonia, after which he has organised expeditions all over the world and led expeditions to the more temperate and tropical climates of Romania, Zambia, Thailand, Guyana, Borneo and Belize.
After a short stint as a geography teacher Chip returned to the expedition world to work with Pen on last year’s Catlin Arctic Survey. For Chip, being at the leading edge of science alongside operating in some of the world’s most challenging environments is the most interesting part of the job, but of course he enjoys the opportunities that come his way to broaden his geographical horizons.
He feels understandably privileged to say he’s landed on the sea ice when he flew with Pen, Ann and Martin to their drop off point on the Arctic Ocean during the 2009 Survey, but even more so after he learnt that the whole of Resolute had to cut its electricity to power up the lights for his return landing!
Chip will be back in Resolute to coordinate the departure of both the scientists and exploration team at the beginning of March. TIM CULLINGFORD  Science Manager Tim is the Science Manager for the Catlin Arctic Survey, responsible for liaison between the research scientists, explorers and the media.
He gained his BSc. degree 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.
As a scientist he has conceived, conducted and published original molecular-based experiments in the fields of neurology and cardiology. In particular, he has approached his research with an awareness of its relevance to human benefit and a ‘holistic’ systems view.
Such an approach informed his recent decision to develop a long-standing interest in human-driven changes in the global environment by undertaking the renowned Environmental Technology MSc at Imperial College.
Inspired by epic endeavours such as that of mountaineer Jo Simpson of ‘Touching the Void’ fame, Tim has also developed a keen interest in the resilience of the explorer under extreme conditions. Thus following completion of his MSc this year, and on invitation to interview, he was particularly excited to meet polar explorer and Catlin Arctic Survey Director, Pen Hadow.
Tim will be ensuring that rigorous scientific protocols and data interpretation is maintained throughout the project, and addressing issues peculiar to extreme-condition projects. GABY DEAN  UK Operations Manager Gaby developed a hearty appetite for the outdoors whilst working for Cotswold Camping before going on to study geography at Newcastle University. After graduating she joined the London office of adventure travel company, World Expeditions. Although a temporary appointment at first, the company's inspirational attitude to responsible travel kept her there for almost a decade!
Gaby has since trekked, climbed or cycled on all seven continents and personal highlights include trekking in the Andes, cruising in Antarctica and travelling to Mali's legendary Timbuktu.
In need of a career change in 2009, Gaby left World Expeditions to satisfy her ambition to study nutritional therapy and currently enjoys combining her studies with her job at the Catlin Arctic Survey. Her role with the Survey currently involves sponsor relations and UK operations management. She also has an active role in charity work as a trustee for Porters' Progress UK and regularly volunteers as a lead cook with The Food Chain. JAMES FORTE  Geo Mission Corporate Policy, Client Accounts and Education Outreach James currently supports Geo Mission, the company behind Catlin Arctic Survey, on Corporate Policy, Client Accounts and Education Outreach. James is an independent Corporate Responsibility and Community Investment professional, specialising in the development and implementation of Corporate Community Investment programmes as well as Corporate Responsibility more generally.
James met Pen Hadow in 2007 and at that time worked with Pen and his team in taking forward what have become the Catlin Arctic Surveys. During 2009, James did what he enjoys most – taking forward the creation of a programme, Arctic Survey Education, from scratch and working on its development with a talented team of committed and creative people to deliver what is a highly regarded resource.
Previously, James worked for many years with KPMG, the accountancy, audit and advisory firm. As the firm’s first Director, Social Responsibility he managed the development of the firm’s Community programme and was later appointed Director, Corporate Citizenship, Europe. James’s earlier experience ranges from Selection & Search, Employee Communications, Development Centre Assessor to Global Client Account Management. 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 outside support, from Canada to the Geographic North Pole.
His first polar experience dates back to 1989, when, while working for a sports agency, he partnered a polar explorer photographing polar bears on the edge of the Arctic Ocean. Since then, Pen has clocked up more than 15 years of polar experience and has watched with dismay the changes taking place in the Arctic.
In 1997 Pen organised, inspired and secured most of the funding for the first all-women's relay to the North Pole, thereby enabling 20 women, with no previous polar experience, from all backgrounds and age groups, to reach the Pole.
In 2009 Pen led the first Catlin Arctic Survey. 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. 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 masterplan 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 been working with Pen for the past three years, predominantly as Head of Online Communications.
Dominic is a keen (as opposed to good) fell-runner and photographer. ANDREW JACKSON  Technical Engineer Andrew is a highly experienced software developer and system architect who has been working in the industry for over twenty-five years. He typically works in the embedded sector (where microprocessors are used in things that don't look like computers).
Although principally involved in software he has been closely associated with the hardware required in such systems, specifying, designing and implementing such systems. He has a good understanding of many technologies in use today ranging from networking (TCP/IP) through to Wireless USB.
He is helping Catlin Arctic Survey to develop the communications system that will keep the teams on the ice in touch with the rest of the world.
He has run his own business for the last fourteen years. ROD MACRAE  Head of Communications Rod is Head of Communications at Geo Mission and this is his second Catlin Arctic Survey project. 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 gone on to specialise in sustainable and environmental communications. Other major independent projects include the launch of the photographic exhibition 'Earth from the Air' at the Natural History Museum, a documentary production for Ogilvy & Mather, plus communications strategy and media relations for National Express, RPS, Carbon Free Group, Oxford Geoengineering, Solar Cities, Oxford University’s Young Lives programme and Procure4. Somewhere along the way he has acquired an MBA, an allotment, a few awards, an admiration for explorers and twin daughters. CLARE MARGETTS  Field Team Coordinator 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 spent two years as a marketing and brand manager for active clothing company howies. In 2009 she worked for the emerging speaking event The Do Lectures, successfully fulfilling the brief of planning, producing and turning it into a sustainable business.
While this is her first major expedition, she has always had a 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.
As Field Team Coordinator, Claire deals with the logistics and coordination for all personnel, with special focus on the Explorer Team. She has organized their training, sourced and customized their kit, commandeered sponsors and done everything logistically possible to get them ready for the ice. She has even learned to translate Inuit. PERRAN NEWMAN  Technical Engineer Now aged 63 years old, Perran has spent all his working life in product research and development. This has exposed him to a great variety of technical disciplines. Couple this with his interests in the ‘History of Technology’ and he feels competent to tackle most projects that do not require ‘state of the art’ solutions.
During recent years Perran has provided small systems for use in Arctic environments and he has the necessary mechanical, electrical, electronic and software resources to handle such projects primarily on his own. This gives him full control of the work and allows completion to tight deadlines.
His contribution to the latest Catlin Survey is the provision of a highly insulated, very tough container to hold seawater samples gathered by the Explorer Team. The container has to be heated and many safeguards must be provided to prevent freezing of the samples.
Perran has also built a compact 2 channel Iridium data link to allow data files to be transmitted off the ice. The unit contains comprehensive data logging to allow the performance of the battery pack at low temperatures to be evaluated. JACKIE PEDERSEN  Press Relations Officer Jackie Pederson has over 20 years experience in international marketing and communications. She has held senior PR, marketing, management and business development roles in corporate and consultancy environments.
Her experience spans a variety of sectors including technology & industrial, architecture, food & beverage and environment. Jackie played a key role in media relations for the 2009 Catlin Arctic Survey, a programme that delivered over 4 billion opportunities to learn about the Survey in the global media.
When not working she is a keen rugby fan, following the fortunes of Wasps and going to as many international games as possible.
She also enjoys sailing in and around Europe, art, opera and partaking in good food & wine, the latter of which she balances out with long country walks with her dog. TOM RENNELL  Communications Executive Tom graduated from the University of East Anglia with a BA in Politics and Philosophy 4 years ago. Since then he has also completed his MSc in International Politics from the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). Tom has worked in a variety of jobs from media, to politics, to journalism as well as various attempts to travel the world. More recently he worked as an online and print journalist. Tom joined the Catlin Arctic Survey Operations Team in January 2010 and is an integral part of the communications department. In his spare time he is despairingly searching for that elusive first novel and the fame and fortune therein. He will also take any opportunity to shamelessly plug the quiz night he runs at the Old Crown pub in Highgate. Sunday nights at 6.30 £2 to enter. MARTIN RHODES  Expedition Doctor CAROL RUDDOCK  Head of Finance Carol came to Geo Mission, the people behind Catlin Arctic Survey, with a background of economics and accountancy training followed by several years working with American banks in London. She then took some time out to pursue her interests in homeopathy and craniosacral therapy while bringing up a couple of great kids.
Since then she has been working with several businesses running systems, preparing accounts and keeping track of the money. The businesses are very diverse ranging from garden designers and IT companies to recruitment consultants and property developers.
Carol has lots of other interests, and loves living in London with all its opportunities for fun and entertainment.
She is really excited to be part of the Geo Mission team and sends out her thanks to the entire team for making her feel welcome. 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 has featured in and written articles for various health and fitness publications and newspapers.
As well as having a broad range of qualifications and experience in the health and fitness industry, Jon is also an outdoor pursuits instructor, specialising in climbing, canoeing and mountain biking.
In his downtime, Jon enjoys rock and ice climbing, cross-training, photography and spending time with his wife and two children at their home in sunny Devon. SAL THOMAS  Communications Manager Having been an advertising exec, brand manager, sales promotion practitioner, media promotions director and freelance copywriter, Sal has enjoyed a healthy dollop of experience from across the marketing communications spectrum. She has also worked with a host of blue-chip brands including Kellogg’s, Sky, Discovery Channel, Quorn, Vileda and Barclays.
However, there’s only so much corporate whoredom an environmentally minded, armchair anarchist can take, so when the opportunity to work on the Catlin Arctic Survey arose, she willingly jumped on board.
When not worrying about the fate of marine organisms that neither know nor care of her existence, she writes comedy. Highlights include a 2008 Edinburgh show, having sketches aired on BBC Radio 7, being shortlisted for the Beeb’s first ever College of Comedy and being invited to attend a writing master-class with David Mitchell at Broadcasting House. David wore top-to-toe brown for the occasion.
Videos
Packing Process – Laura and Claire packing the freight
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 | posted by Ice Base Team Wed 17 Mar | A Challenging Start to the Day Today was not the best of starts for a cook in the high Arctic. Having arrived at the mess tent I found Simon wrestling with our snow melter / heater which... more > |
 | posted by Explorer Team Wed 17 Mar | Modest Arctic Birthday Celebrations Martin describes the modest birthday celebrations he's enjoyed after a day of trekking in the beautiful Arctic landscape.
Listen to the audio... more > |
| posted by Ops Room Sun 14 Mar | Talk Is Most Definitely Not Cheap Having worked in the comms business for longer than I care to remember, I thought I knew a thing or two about the art of conveying information. But the... more > |
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