Meet the Team
Below is a little bit about the main teams history of the event so you can put names to faces!
2026 Executive Leadership Team
Suzanne Carter
Executive Team Lead
Event PR / Admin
This year, the specific focus of her role is event PR and Administration
see what it was all about. She can honestly say she’s never been as cold in her life and distinctly remember being wrapped up like a cocoon in her sleeping bag! She was smitten despite that though and has been back virtually every year since in one way or another, either as a volunteer, member of the committee or as an entrant.
Suzanne joined the committee after sending the then Event Organiser, Tim Powell, a list of points for the committee to consider after having volunteered on the event. She was encouraged to join Keighley Scout Service Team and the Fellsman committee in order to be able to action some of her suggestions. As with many things, once you get involved, it’s hard to step away and, over 25 years on, Suzanne is still involved with the committee.
Suzanne’s daughter Erin was born just 6 days before the 2010 Fellsman, of which she was the Event Organiser. Erin is very much a Fellsman baby having attended more events that she’s had birthdays; her birthday celebrations often have to take place after the event, but she doesn’t mind as the Fellsman has always been such a big part of her life.
Suzanne was the first female Event Organiser in its history and safely led the event through the weather-induced safety emergency in 2012. Her most memorable Fellsman moment was crossing the finish line as a successful entrant (and the only female committee member to do so to date) alongside her husband, Jonathan who is also a long-standing committee member. Seeing the event as both a committee member and entrant gives her a unique perspective on all things Fellsman and only served to compound her love for the event: the wild but stunning environment it traverses, the camaraderie of everyone involved and the challenge of navigating around the route make this a truly special weekend-long picnic!
entrant herself. She has previously been the Event Organiser on 5 occasions, an Assistant
Checkpoint Officer, Radio Operator, Shop Lead, Assistant / Headquarters Controller, Emergency
Response crew, PR officer, Kit Check Officer and Checkpoint team member.
James Credland
Executive Team Lead
Event Logistic & Infrastructure Lead
This year, the specific focus of his role is event logistics before, during &after the weekend, particularly around QM stores including radios.
At 21, James joined Keighley Scout Service Network and soon after became part of the Fellsman Committee. Since then, he has had his hand in all sorts of jobs — from checkpoint organiser to driving the food van, mopping the kitchen floor, and taking on the role of Transport and Communications Officer.
These days, he is usually found in the control room at Threshfield during the event, keeping an eye on buses, equipment, and the running of the event. Over the past few years, James has served as the Assistant Event Organiser, and he is now one of the three members of the Executive Team Leads, helping to drive the event forward.
Jonathan Olsson
Executive Team Lead
Event Logistic & Infrastructure Lead
Event Admin / Website
This year, the specific focus of his role is event logistics before, during & after the weekend, particularly around QM stores including radios and keeping the website up to date.
At 18, after moving into Cobbydale Scout Network, Jonny took on the role of a “pink shirt” at Threshfield. In those early years, he did all the little but vital jobs that often go unseen — locking gates, rolling bacon, and moving paperwork from the radio table to the corresponding checkpoint peg. This was well before computer systems took over much of the admin work.
Jonny’s involvement grew when he joined Keighley Scout Service Team, later stepping up to the Committee as an Assistant Checkpoint Officer. From there, he helped to develop and manage the deployment of the entrant buses, a role that gradually expanded to include working with the CAM team. As Radio Organiser and Transport Manager a new role was created, Communications and Logistics Systems team, overseeing both radio traffic and transport movements from a central location. This role was later shared with James managing the event from Threshfield to ensure the whole event was covered.
In 2023, Jonny stepped away from the full-time CAM role to become Event Organiser, guiding the event through a period of change, including the landmark 60th edition and the introduction of the Dart.
Outside of The Fellsman, Jonny is a passionate Scouter. He has been a Scout Leader at three different groups within Keighley District, with a proven track record of building up troop numbers. His current Scouting roles include Unit Manager for Keighley Scout Service Network and Assistant Section Volunteer at Oakworth Scout Group.
2026 Event Team Leads
Phil Shuttleworth
Checkpoint Organiser
(Volunteer Team Lead)
This year, the specific focus of his role is checkpoint staffing and equipment.
With years of Fellsman experience, both as an entrant and a volunteer, Phil has seen the event from every angle, including manning Great Whernside checkpoint on the infamous 50th event. He is a two-time Fellsman finisher in 1997 and 1998, he knows exactly what entrants are up against.
This year brings an extra spark of excitement as he watches his eldest daughter take on the Dart for the first time.
Chris Driver (Screwy)
Checkpoint Organiser
(Landowner Liaison Lead)
This year, the specific focus of his role is land owner liaison.
His Fellsman journey began at age 14, when he first volunteered as a Scout, helping with all sorts of jobs and running around the school during the event. Since then, Chris has taken on an impressive variety of roles, both on and off the committee. Over the years, he has operated radios, worked at checkpoints, driven minibuses, managed radio control at Cam, and served as Checkpoint Officer, Kit Check Officer, and Hike Organiser.
Through it all, Chris has witnessed the very best of the Fellsman spirit — the incredible achievements of so many participants and volunteers — as well as the tough moments, including making difficult decisions like cancelling the event in the middle of the night.
He’s even experienced the Fellsman from the other side of the table — as an entrant himself.
Oli Stow
Checkpoint Organiser
(Volunteer Team Lead)
This year, the specific focus of his role is checkpoint staffing and equipment.
After a short break from Scouting, he joined KSSN and the Fellsman Committee, where he has since become a vital part of the event’s organisation. Oli plays a key role in coordinating the network of checkpoints that keep the Fellsman running smoothly — ensuring every location is well-staffed, well-supplied, and ready to welcome both elite runners and weary walkers.
During a brief break from checkpoint duties, Oli also stepped into the Threshfield Kitchen, supporting the catering team as Assistant Catering Team Lead. There, he helped provide much-needed meals and morale to participants and volunteers alike.
Sarah Driver
Checkpoint Organiser
(Checkpoint Admin Lead)
Role: Sarah is currently part of a 4 person team responsible in all aspects of planning and execution of the checkpoints for the Fellsman and Fellsman Dart .
This year, the specific focus of her role is to be responsible for checkpoint paperwork and administration
About Me: Sarah first became involved with The Fellsman when she met her husband Chris just under 20 years ago. His passion for the event very quickly rubbing off on her. After moving to Yorkshire (from way down south in Hampshire), Sarah joined both the Keighley Scout Service Network and The Fellsman committee. With a background in Computing (among other things
she was involved in developing a system for the RAF, used to co-ordinate air, sea and mountain rescues), Sarah initially became involved in the
Admin side of the event, primarily at Threshfield, as well as a short stint as Entries Secretary.
Most recently Sarah has primarily just been involved on the weekend, supported Chris with kit check, checkpoints and helping him stay awake
driving round the route at silly-o-clock in the morning. She finds it particularly rewarding talking to, supporting and encouraging
entrants at checkpoint in the early hours of the morning.
When not involved with The Fellsman, trains big and small typically feature, thanks to her train-obsessed family (another of Chris’s passions that their two boys have very much embraced). Sarah also loves photography, a hobby she has often combined with The Fellsman.
Previous Roles: Admin Team, Entry Secretary, Kit Check Team, Assisting Checkpoint Officer.
Jonathan Carter
Entrant Kit / Equipment Lead
old on her first Fellsman. A year without a Fellsman doesn’t seem quite right….
Jonathan has extensive experience of all aspects of the event having been actively involved in its organisation for over 25 years.
Bev Dickinson
Sweep Team Liaison Lead
Now, along with her son as co-driver, Bev ensures the Sweep Teams are in the right place at the right time, following the last of the competitors and making sure everyone stays safe.
Being part of the Fellsman makes Bev feel like she belongs to something truly special — an event run by Scouting that embodies teamwork, adventure, and community spirit. She loves the camaraderie, the friendliness, the smiles at checkpoints, and the magic of seeing dawn break over the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Every year, she looks forward to meeting the dedicated Sweep Teams who travel from all over the country to join them for their annual jaunt around the Dales.
Shona Brunskill
Catering Lead
(Checkpoints)
Shona works with the Catering Lead (HQ) for all things shopping, logistics etc.
About Me: Shona’s (sometimes referred to as Shn) first Fellsman was at Capplestone Gate with Ventures at 16, and she’s fairly sure it’s Screwy’s fault… for 11 years after that she was a radio op, at Cam/out and about, and then Threshfield Control, before finally joining the committee as Assistant Caterer 25 years ago. Unusually for the Fellsman committee, she hasn’t really moved since. You’ll always find her in the kitchen at parties…
Shona’s love of random mass catering formed as an official hobby when in her second (?) year the WRVS were unavailable (after many years running Threshfield) and she realised she could run the kitchen herself, roping in various friends to help. She eventually took charge of the checkpoint ordering too, revamped the menu and for several years her Dad drove the van, whilst her mother spent hours baking her famous Fellsman Flapjack and making fresh soup concentrate for the checkpoints. We all miss that Flapjack…
This year Shona is joined by Sarah in an official capacity, who after a few years staffing the kitchen has decided to take on the Threshfield Catering Role, releasing Shona back into the wild (aka Ingleton start and the Food Delivery Van). There’s strength in numbers.
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Catering Lead
(Headquaters)
Role: The catering deparment is in some essence the heart of the Fellsman (everyone works better on a full stomach!), This team ensures entrants and the support staff are fuelled up before set off and are well rewarded on their return with a tasty meal!
This role involves organising staff meal orders, entrant food orders (supper, breakfast), quantifying / ordering / collecting / cooking of food at Threshfield. Setting up & the clearing up of school kitchens, staff and lead a catering team to ensure the kitchen is open all weekend.
For 2026 Catering Lead (Checkpoints) is over seeing the running of the kitchen team as this is currently a vacant role.
About Me:
Vacant Role:
Would you be interseted in this Role.
If so we need you
Please event@fellsman.org.uk for more information
Alex Thewlis
Event Controller
(Cam Houses)
Today, Alex leads the team responsible for coordinating event communications and administration, based at Cam, ensuring the smooth running of one of the Fellsman’s most vital operations.
Beth Credland
Event Controller
(Threshfield)
Key responsibilities include monitoring entrants throughout the event, maintaining fully operational checkpoint teams, ensuring clear and reliable communication channels, and safeguarding the wellbeing of both participants and volunteers. In addition, the role oversees the logistics of event vehicles, coordinating bus movements to ensure entrants are transported safely and on schedule.
Today, Beth plays a key role behind the computers at Threshfield, managing the control desk and helping to keep the event running smoothly from start to finish.
Julie Olsson
Event HQ / Final Check Lead
Shop Manager
Phill Hands
Event Logistic & Infrastructure Assistant
Over time, he’s even brought both of his sons into the fold: after doing stints as radio operators and final check crew, they now serve alongside him on the driving team. Since working on the Fellsman, Phil has also joined scouting for the first time as a member of KSSN and is looking forward to contributing further as a committee member. Outside of scouting, he is an active member of KRUFC and is currently serving as a linesman for the first team during the current season.
Greg Boole
Event Logistic & Infrastructure Assistant
He grew up in a Scouting family in Birmingham and remained active until moving to Yorkshire over 25 years ago. In 2022, Greg returned as a registered volunteer and, in 2025, also joined the Fellsman Committee, keen to support this remarkable event and the dedicated people who make it happen.
Bob Whitehead
Health and Safety Advisor /
Medical Team Lead
Bob’s professional background lies in the emergency services, where he served as an operational firefighter for over 27 years. During that time, he worked as an instructor in various operational disciplines and as a watch-based Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). After leaving the fire service, he retrained and spent time working as an EMT with the ambulance service.
For around 25 years, Bob has also been a first aid instructor, covering both workplace and outdoor/sports first aid, and has contributed to the development of nationally accredited first aid training across different sectors. Since 2019, he has worked as a fire, health, and safety specialist, supporting several thousand colleagues nationwide.
Outside of work, Bob has always had a passion for sport and fitness. He has completed several off-road marathons and spent many years playing rugby.
First Aider at Yarnbury Checkpoint,
Event First Aid Coordinator,
Iain Kirk
Race Route Advisor Lead
When not in Yorkshire, you will find Iain walking, cycling or many other adventurous activities all over the world. Out of work he is also a volunteer for the RNLI.