Lead Guide and Operations Manager
I’ve been working as a Marmot Tours Guide for over a decade and also full-time as Operations Manager since 2018. It is such a privilege to be part of the incredible team at Marmot Tours and to have the pleasure of supporting our cyclists in their mountain adventures.
My career history is strongly entwined with both physical work and the outdoor life, and it includes scientific fieldwork and project management in Alpine and UK mountain ecosystems, sales & customer service in the Pyrenean snow sports industry, and also site management, stone conservation and rope access work in the historic building conservation trade.
I am also a scientist with a solid training in skills such as critical thinking, communication, and data collection & analysis. I hold a 1st class bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of Liverpool, an MSc in Aquatic Biology (Distinction; University of London), and a PhD in Biogeochemistry (University of Aberdeen); I have worked as a post-doc research scientist studying climate change effects on Austrian Alpine ecosystems (University of Manchester).
Despite being born in Somerset, flat places make me feel a bit unsettled and I am happiest when out in the mountains! Whenever I am not busy working on the logistics and health & safety of your next holiday, or refining every single detail of the Marmot product to improve the customer experience, I am usually out in the hills either mountain biking, road cycling, rock climbing, hiking or telemark-skiing.
What our clients say about Helen…
Helen, what a woman, what a personality, always calm and considerate. The group is her main objective, going from safety, van organization during the day, supporting Sam, organizing the hotels, the departure, the arrival, the lunch, making sure everyone made it, making sure no one forgot to eat and drink or forgot to put warm clothing on the descents … Her nature makes her doing this all not using an impersonal manager style but in warm friendly humane style. P Verhoeven Raid Pyrenean
I felt Helen offered brilliant support in a professional, friendly, thoughtful manner. Could not have asked for more than Helen gave. Raid Pyrenean
Helen was really encouraging on the last day when we ascended the west side of Mortorolo, and so glad we did! Also she was there every few km up the Stelvio with the camera recording it all! Also came and rescued us on a navigation error on day 2. Clearly works really hard and nothing is too much trouble. Annette, Classic Cols of the Dolomites
Happy, friendly, approachable, supportive, organised and other great adjectives. A Stephens, Classic Cols of Corsica
Helen kept everyone well informed and moving along with minimum fuss and great humour. She is clearly a very experienced guide. Even better, she cured my knee pain with some well applied sports tape. Is there nothin’ that she cannae do? C Bloomer, Dolomites Minibreak
Fantastic attitude, great knowledge and incredibly supportive. Made the trip an absolute pleasure. I would not have got over the Tourmalet without Helen. D Crawford, Raid Pyrenean
I already miss Helen. Helen was smart and funny and had a great capacity to enjoy the clients. I expect I am one of the harder to manage, but Helen has a remarkable way of “reading” the situation. If you want to “give it” on a ride, Helen understood and supported that. Helen provided cycling and emotional guidance in a wonderfully deft and professional manner. She is a wonderful ambassador for Marmot.
E Boomer, Alpine Classic Cols
