Your extended Leap Family

Guy Whitehead

The reason why we all work 24/7! Guy was brought up in Kenya before dusting down his khaki shorts in preparation for a career in the British Army and in organising gap years and school expeditions, which he has done since 1995. Perfectly qualified therefore to set up the leap in 2002 and for sending well over 1,000 volunteers abroad.

guy@theleap.co.uk

Milly Whitehead

The ever patient wife and business partner of Guy...Works on all the marketing and design projects and best contacted by email as often works from home for a bit of peace and quiet!

milly@theleap.co.uk

Alice Baines

One of our first ever 'Leapers', Alice now works with us in Marlborough as our overseas placement manager. Having spent her first gap year working in a Kenyan safari camp and her second 'shaking her jungle coconuts' on a team placement in Ecuador, she would love nothing more than for life to be one long gap year! If unsure where to go, what to do or what to take this is your girl.

alice@theleap.co.uk

Claude Bufton

Our yummy mummy in the office! She successfully manages her 2 gorgeous girls and now all of us... (and very calmly I might add!) In a previous life Claude motorbiked across India and Thailand before living in France for 5 years satisfying her love of croissants and men in berets! Her speciality is to process all the admin: including flights, insurance and briefing days; making sure you're all onboard and make it to the airport on time...

info@theleap.co.uk

Michaela Scarr

The Leap's newest addition, Michaela is fresh out of college (where she studied travel) and bursting with enthusiasm! A fan of South Africa, sunshine and Johnny Depp she's going to be joining a Leap team soon. You might have met her already on facebook - if not get there quick as she can help you meet past, present and future leapers and deal with any queries!

michaela@theleap.co.uk

Socheat Hun

Socheat is the Leap's lovely cousin in Cambodia! From his base in Siem Reap, where he lives with his wife Kema and their 5 year old son, Socheat organises projects, looks after Leapers and also provides an all important translation service. He has a great heart and has volunteered himself many times- even taking part in cross-country bike races to raise funds for good causes! Socheat runs AK travel our gap year and career break hosts.

Stuart Rees-Jones

Our rafiki in Kenya. Guy and Stuart go way back; both serving in the British Army, running school expeditions and sharing a love for East Africa. He takes great care of volunteers and if you're feeling adventurous/mad may even let you take a spin on his kite surf! Stu runs Camps Int our gap year and career break hosts.

Conrad Van Eyssen

The Leap's friendly Uncle in South Africa, Conrad organises our teams from his private game reserve where he lives with his young family. A true African bush-man, Conrad loves nothing more than hopping in his microlight and soaring through the skies, surprising the odd unsuspecting hippo along the way! Conrad runs Kwa Madwala our gap year and career break hosts.

Mathias Mtui

Mathias is The Leap's man in Tanzania. He and his family are fantastic hosts and have a huge passion for volunteering- proving a true inspiration for Leapers. Mathias was brought up in Dar es Salaam and made head boy of one of the schools where Leap projects now take place! After winning a scholarship to Houston University in USA he returned to his homeland to start a family and use his qualifications to 'make a difference'. Mathias runs Anderock Safaris our gap year and career break hosts.

Andy Kirby

If you're lucky enough to be heading to Ecuador with The Leap, Andy will be your host. Originally from bonny Scotland, he's made his home in Quito, from which he runs a cooperative NGO helping indigenous, marginalized communities with sustainable development. With his 3 grown up kids spread all over the world, Andy is deeply committed to community and conservation causes and has bags of energy! Andy runs Yanapuma Foundation our gap year and career break hosts.

Silvia Salazar

Our Costa Rica placement is hosted by Silvia and the lovely team at Vesa Tours who organise everything from their office in San Jose. They help Juan Carlos, the project leader in El Silencio to look after Leap volunteers in the community. Silvia has many years of experience of working with Leapers and has a passion for her beautiful country that is infectious! Silvia runs Vesa our gap year and career break hosts.

Diego Llaneza

The Leap's uncle in Argentina is Diego. The fun loving 41 year old owns La Asuncion 54, a polo horse breeding estancia in the heart of the Pampas which he shares with his daughters. He spends every waking moment among his 50 beloved horses and the Leapers who stay at the farm to hone their polo skills. Diego runs La Asuncion 54 our gap year and career break hosts.

Rory Hall

Rory is the Leap's dependable Uncle in Borneo! He and his team at Camp Borneo organise our gap year and career break volunteer projects from their base in Kota Kinabalu. He's passionate about the environment, loves scuba-diving and conservation and is a logistics guru with masses of travel experience.

Brendan Topp

Brendan is our man in Venezuela. He and his team organise the volunteer projects from their base in Plaza Las Heroinas. He's passionate about the people of Venezuela and its amazing and diverse environment, like the stunning Tepuis, beaches and rain forests! Brendan runs Jakera our gap year and career break hosts.