Meet the Team

British Nordic Walking was founded in 2008. We are run by Nordic Walkers, for Nordic Walkers and are a Community Interest Company, (a not-for-profit organisation).

Meet our team of passionate INWA National Trainers, our talented staff team and volunteer Board members.

OUR NATIONAL TRAINERS

Arlene Bowmaker | Falkirk
Arlene is a physiotherapist of 30 years experience and has taught Nordic Walking for over a decade. She brings technical skill, expertise, patience and a strong rehabilitation emphasis to her instructing. She specialises in recovery and rehabilitate from injury and managing chronic health issues. Join Arlene in some of the stunning parks, landmarks and trails available in the Falkirk area.

 

 Steve Ellis I  Wiltshire
Steve has been a National Trainer since 2013, having qualified as an Instructor in 2011. As the founder and co-owner of Gemini Outdoor; Steve has been trekking in the mountains of the UK, Africa, Europe and New Zealand for over 30 years. He is an ‘International Mountain Leader. Steve says, “I am in my ‘happy place’ when walking with friends in the hills and mountains”. Steve is a member of the INWA Education Committee.

 

John Horton | North Kent
John is a paramedic, a university associate lecturer, and an examiner for The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He came to Nordic walking as an alternative to ultra-marathon running. "My motivation in life has always been to make a positive difference to peoples' lives. I get immense pleasure from seeing how Nordic walking enriches my clients’ lives, not just the improvements in physical health but also by the feeling of wellbeing."

 

Catherine Hughes, INWA International Nordic Walking TrainerCatherine Hughes | Nottingham
Catherine has taught Nordic Walking to a diverse range of people since 2006.  She loves seeing people reap the benefits of learning how to Nordic Walk. She is CEO at British Nordic Walking and her role includes sharing her passion for Nordic Walking to grow participation and ensuring support for our network of instructors. Her vision is for Nordic Walking to be available close to all our communities.

 

Karen Ingram | Cardiff
Karen has a love for all things outdoors especially Nordic Walking. Qualified as an INWA International Trainer, she brings her background in movement and Pilates to her teaching. Karen is a Pilates teacher trainer, a Pain therapist and an author. Karen says, "There is something magical about training outdoors, even in the Welsh rain!". She teaches from her base in Wales and presents workshops across the UK and internationally.

 

Tatiana Novaes | London
Tatiana has a passion for teaching and helping people to achieve their goals and to keep getting stronger. A Pilates teacher, Nordic Walking Trainer and choreographer, Tatiana is an expert in the moving body. She is based in her studio in London and teaches internationally.

 

 

 Eilidh Paterson | Highland Perthshire
Eilidh runs her successful business providing Nordic Walking training and walks at various venues throughout Highland Perthshire. She says, "Seeing people learn a new skill, explore new areas and improve their health all with a smile on their faces is powerful motivation to really push the benefits of Nordic Walking as well as continue develop my own skills."

 

Vicky Welsh | Bristol 
Vicky has taught Nordic Walking since 2010, establishing a successful and vibrant Nordic Walking business in Bristol. She develops community Nordic walking programmes so that everyone  can improve their mental and physical wellbeing through Nordic Walking. Vicky is an author, personal trainer and mental health first aider and has a background in law.

 

Hamish Willis | Lancashire
When Hamish was at school, teachers would ask him what his ideal job would be. The answer was always, ‘working outdoors with people’, which is exactly what he does. Hamish is an orienteering coach, a qualified teacher, personal trainer, Youth Fitness Specialist and a Level 4 Strength and Conditioning coach. He is passionate about teaching people and loves the challenge of instructing outdoors in bad weather!

 

OUR OFFICE TEAM

Ella Ferris | Office Manager
A qualified teacher with a background in charities and financial services, Ella is our Office Manager and of course a passionate Nordic Walker. She trained with Catherine Hughes in 2008 and Nordic walked the Robin Hood Half Marathon. When Ella is not in the office she loves making the most of the outdoors with a pair of poles. 

 

Rachel Davis | Administrative Assistant
Rachel is primarily involved with membership renewals, clothing purchases & invoicing, and is on hand to help with most queries. She has been an active Nordic Walking Instructor since 2014. When not working, Rachel volunteers as a Cub Scout leader. In the rest of her spare time she enjoys sailing, badminton, tennis, orienteering, gardening, cooking, board and video games.

 

OUR BOARD

Catherine Hughes
Catherine discovered Nordic Walking whilst changing career having worked for Boots The Chemists HQ as a scientist then IT specialist.  Wanting to share her passion she became an instructor trainer and helped her colleague set up British Nordic Walking in 2008. Catherine particularly enjoys setting up new partnerships to expand Nordic Walking across the UK and also supporting instructors developing their activities.

 

Lisa Drewe
Lisa is a management consultant, Chair of Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Ordnance Survey GetOutside Champion, ambassador for the National Outdoor Expo and author of ‘Islandeering: adventures around the outside edge of Britain’s hidden islands'. She is a British Nordic Walking instructor, qualified personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist. Her favourite thing is to be on, in, under or next to water.  

Our courses

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