Meet the team | The Carter Company

HQ team

Wendy Carter

Founder & Numero Uno

Wendy started it all off and heads up the team at HQ. When she's not playing tennis and golf or checking out trips abroad and at home, she rides a folding Airnimal and walks very fast, but always takes a couple of plastic bags for picking fruit and mushrooms and collecting interesting bits.
Carolyn Priestley

Logistics Wizard

Carolyn is more likely to been seen out running than on a bike but she has dusted off her bike since joining the Carter Company and cycled with her family on some of our routes. She is currently walking all 180 miles of the Thames Path. In her spare time she likes jumping out of airplanes. Scary!

Nicola Smith

Marketing Maestro

Nicola joined our HQ team eight years ago with lots of previous experience in the hotel and travel industry. She loves walking in the local area, with her dog Dylan, and as well as being ace with our hotel partners, Nicola also looks after our marketing and business development. Having cycled our Lochs and Glens Tour, she is now a huge fan of E-Bikes!
Evelien Barbe

Admin Alchemist

Evelien is our muti-lingual secret weapon – a Belgian expat, foodie and general lover of life with a creative spirit. She loves to travel and has worked and lived abroad, she also loves to cook so we look forward to sampling any offerings – especially if they include chocolate! Since joining us we persuaded her to don her walking boots and stride out and even managed to coax her onto a bike.

Iona Carter

Brand Mastermind

Iona loves long walks but does a fair bit of cycling around town on her (slightly rusty) gold Raleigh Mixte. She's a bit of a book worm, so she loves our 'In the footsteps of famous writers' walking holiday. She recommends following your nose if you want to discover those hidden gems!
Josh Carter

Enterprise Architect

Josh travels a lot, mostly on planes and trains but he loves hiking in mountains and sampling the best local dishes as he's a foodie. Engaging with the locals is what he does best and he finds they always have a fascinating tale to tell.

Dylan

Top Dog

Dylan likes the finer things in life - he loves long walks but not if it's raining. He loves history and is a big fan of English Heritage who are very welcoming to the furry fraternity
Jango

Four legged Friend

Our newest Team member - Jango likes long walks in the country, swimming (especially in muddy puddles) and chasing tennis balls!
For the money, your holiday is excellent value and I cannot recommend it enough to others

Jonathan and Susanne
Austrian lakes and mountains

Holiday hosts

Simon Reed

Kent Host

Simon loves restoring classic cars but has also been a two wheel fan for many years – usually motorbikes! Lately though he and his American wife have really enjoyed exploring Oregon cities by bike. He's one of Kent's fine local producers, and keen to give you a tour and tasting in his cidery.
Dan Smith

Oxford Host

Dan studied law and history in Oxford ‘a while ago’, loved Oxford so stayed there. He is an outdoor sporty type and enjoys canoeing. He is very likely to turn up for a host meeting on his bike – well it is Oxford after all! He likes spending time walking his two labradoodles and looking after his ducks.

Hugh Dickson

Lake District Host

Hugh is our ‘go-to’ in the Lake District – he started guiding in vineyard regions across the world before 15 years as Blue Badge guide in London. Returning to his routes in the North West to live amongst the magnificent lakeland scenery he now spends his time hiking and painting. He has degrees in zoology and environmental sciences so is rarely stuck for conversation!!
Mike Cooper

Cotswolds Host

Mike has always lived in the Cotswolds and has never tired of walking and cycling in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There is always 'something' new to explore. But he has been known to leave 'Gods Country' and cycle and walk extensively around the world... nevertheless, the Cotswolds remains his spiritual home.

I have recommended you to everyone I know! Rob, Wendy and our host Mike were wonderfully service oriented and great to work with.

Lisa
Tailor-made cycling holiday
Anna Gray

Lake District Host

Anna is a qualified Guide focusing on Hadrian’s Wall and the Lake District. She loves meeting people, delving into local history and collecting fascinating stories to pass on to clients. Her top tip for walkers is to question everything you encounter! As Henry David Thoreau once said: ‘It’s not what you look at that matters; it’s what you see!’

Paul Vines

Lake District Host

Paul is based in Cumbria and is an expert in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. He is a qualified Mountain Leader. Passionate about walking and traveling the world, he enjoys swapping stories and tips with guests. In a previous life, he was a lawyer but is much happier these days out on the fells!

John Urqhart

Scotland Host

Glaswegian born John spent the bulk of his career teaching Geography in Helensburgh near Loch Lomond where he still lives. He is an outdoor pursuits enthusiast and a keen sailor who loves to explore Scotland’s beautiful Western Isles on his yacht. John is a qualified mountain leader to guide you over the Scottish Highlands and involved in local conservation charity work

Phil Halling

Cotswolds and Thames Path Host

Phil is a Blue Badge Tourist Guide and looks after our guests in the Heart of England region and the Southwest. Phil has a keen interest in history and has travelled widely. He has walked a number of Britain’s official long-distance footpaths, including the Cotswold Way, Thames Path and the 630 miles long Southwest Coast Path so is a font of knowledge on these tours.
Joe Pugh

Yorkshire Host

Since graduating with his research masters in history, Joe has worked in several tourism, hospitality, and research roles in the north of England. When not working, Joe is generally to be found working on a bizarre project, such as the restoration of his beloved 1970s Triumph car or hiring out Belle, the fabulous 1930s Austin 10-4 for an authentic Herriot inspired day out.

Steve Adams

Dorset and New Forest Host

Steve grew up in the New Forest and has lived and worked there his whole life. He has worked as a volunteer ranger for the Forestry Commission and runs small guided walks. Steve enjoys meeting people and takes pleasure in showing them the most beautiful parts of the area. His top tip is to make sure you bring layers of clothing and a decent sized rucksack so you can make adjustments for changes in the weather.

Graham Tayler

North Wales Host

Graham loves his bikes. Motorbikes; mountain bikes; touring bikes and E bikes are his passion, riding and fixing them. He is a qualified CYTEC bike mechanic and when he is not fixing bikes he is mapping and riding new routes and loves to explore remote places. His tip for enjoying your ride, be prepared for all weather, check out the cafes on route and stay near a good pub!

Louise Jowett

North Wales Host

Living in north Wales for over 30 years, Louise has spent much of this time exploring the mountains, paths, trails, beaches, and cafes. Her passion for walking, cycle touring and off road biking has resulted in extensive knowledge of the area which she is keen to share with others. Touring Wales by bike is the best way to enjoy the magnificent landscape and meet other people.
Ian Wallace

Devon Host

Ian walks with his wife in Devon and rides his Pinarello on his own - good job too given the speed he goes! His message to anyone thinking of taking a holiday in his area is to come with a sense of adventure and be prepared to be wowed.

Paul Arries

Cornwall Host

Paul moved across the border from Devon to Cornwall 10 years ago and has been exploring the county on his bike ever since, usually the longer rides take in a Cornish pub for lunch!! His tip for an easy ride in this hilly county is to ensure you have a quality E bike!

Rita James

Suffolk Host

Now retired after a busy career in design and textiles, Rita returned to her roots to exchange a busy city life for a slower pace in Suffolk. Having grown up there, she has a wealth of local knowledge and is actively involved in local nature and heritage groups. She worked for the local Tourist office and is a keen walker and has been a walking Tour leader.

Jon Cluett

Scotland Host

Jon moved to Scotland in 1998 to study Environmental Sciences at University and learn how to climb ice! He has achieved both of these goals and has had many adventures along the way, both in Scotland and further afield. He's now settled in the Trossachs area and recommends you always take a filling snack in your backpack when walking in Scotland.
Gavin MacBain Meldrum

Scotland Host

Black highland cattle and haggis and tatties, road signs in Gaelic and Crowdie on oatcakes, Pine martens dancing in stone circle rings, these are a few of my favourite things. Dinners of scallops whilst moored in a bay, Clynelish in plenty; deer forests and osprey, castles on lochs used by warrior kings. These are a few of my favourite things.

Javier Bartolomé

Spain Host

Javier loves his Orbea Hybrid. His advice to anyone booking a tour in Spain is... don't forget the sun cream, a Spanish phrase book and an open mind.

Fred van der Meer

Portugal Host

Fred loves cycling and believes it is the best way to get to know the details of a new country. He says the Algarve is an excellent area for cycling because of the variety in scenery - great coastal views on one side and rural mountains on the other.

Sonja Fontaine

Provence Host

Sonja loves the outdoors and after completing her tourism studies in the UK she moved to the South of France, her new playground and second home. The very day a great new restaurant opens, she’s at its doorstep and knows where to find all the hidden gems. Take a local Carter Company guide with you for half a day and get even more of the inside story!
Martha Lees

Provence Host

British by nature, French by nurture, Martha has spent over a decade in France working in the hotel and travel industry in the French Alps and then in Brittany, before settling in Provence. Martha enjoys calm evening walks with her dog, running around after her two young children and a nice (large) glass of red wine!

Conor Bolger

Ireland Host

Conor is a huge fan of the outdoors and adventure, having experienced the fjords of New Zealand and climbed the highest peaks in South America. He is calm, patient and entertaining with that droll Irish humour which will have you at ease as soon as he meets you.

Gabriel Rodriguez

Ireland Host

Gabriel can tell you all you need to know about hiking, cycling, rafting, kayaking and fly-fishing, learnt back home in Chile. He now lives in Ireland where he can indulge his passion for adventure and the outdoors and share it with others. His motto is: be inquisitive, be safe.

Taiel Croce

Argentina Host

Born and raised in Bariloche, Taiel has cycled every corner by bike and has many stories of Patagonia which he loves to share with guests. As well as having a love for nature, Taiel is also a lifeguard and paramedic.
Saulius Ruzinskas

Lithuania Host

Saulius cycles on an assortment of bikes in the Lithuanian Sahara - that is the 'Curonian Spit' to the rest of us! Customers he says too often forget to bring swimsuits, binoculars and an EU electric plug converter - so be warned!

Peter Vos

Holland Host

Peter has five bikes, but his favorite bike is his mountain bike. He loves the 'Highlights of Holland' tour (no surprises there!) because it shows the variety in the Dutch landscape, the history of the land and the Dutch way of life. Always stop and chat, he says - the Dutch love to talk!

Cristina Merloni

Emilia Romagna Host

Cristina is often found out and about on her bike, to discover new routes, to accompany our guests or simply to enjoy the world from the top of the saddle. Cristina’s ethos ‘the important thing is that your legs don't stay still… a walk on the beach or on the hills among our fabulous vineyards is also perfectly fine’