Members of our Coach Development Team (CDT) are highly skilled professionals who deliver NICAS training, support and guidance to staff at our accredited centres. They bring a wealth of experience from across the climbing industry, including roles as GB Climbing coaches, qualification providers, and named personnel at NICAS centres.
While many members have expertise spanning several areas, their primary roles are outlined below. Whether they’re leading workshops, providing technical advice, or supporting project development, our CDT is instrumental in helping coaches and centres thrive in delivering NICAS.
The NICAS Coach Development Team is organised into the following groups:
NICAS Technical Team
Offering expert guidance on safety and technical standards:
- Joby Maw Davis – Technical Expert and Competent Person (multiple centres)
- Mark Garland – Technical Expert (multiple centres)
- Danny Griffith – Course Director, Competent Person CP and Technical Expert (multiple centres)
- Alan Halewood – Technical Expert (multiple centres)
- Graham Little – Technical Expert, Coach (PrestonWall) and NICAS Deliverer
NICAS Screening Committee
Independently reviewing new centre applications, and uplift applications, to ensure that the coaching team and climbing facilities meet or exceed our minimum requirements:
- Chas Hall – Former Course Director and Technical Expert
- Tim Miller – Course Director (Boulder Shack) and Technical Expert
NICAS Project Development Committee
Focusing on advancing key NICAS projects:
- Stuart Howard – Climbing Coach (Chimera Climbing)
- Juliet Scott – Climbing Coach (multiple centres) and NICAS Deliverer
- Jamie Vardy – Competent Person (Depot Sheffield)
NICAS Coach Developers
Delivering workshops, inductions, and bespoke training to our centres across the UK:
- Stephen Skinner – Product Manager, Head of Coach Development, GB Climbing Coach
- Melissa Bacon – Course Director (Oxford Brookes), Climbing Coach and MT Provider
- Colette Bailey – Level 5 Course Director, Climbing Coach and Trainer (Essex Outdoors)
- Ben Brooks – Course Director (Redpoint Bristol), Climbing Coach and BMC Provider
- Danielle Griffith – Climbing Coach BMC Provider and NICAS Deliverer
- Jay Jackson – Technical Expert (Multiple Walls), GB Climbing Coach and MT Provider
- Stuart Holmes – Climbing Coach, BMC Provider, EP Technical Expert and NICAS Deliverer
- Stuart Lyall – Course Director, Climbing Coach and BMC Provider (TCA Glasgow)
Find out more about the training delivered by our Coach Developers on these pages: