John Baker has a background in mining and farming before training as a sciences teacher. He spent many years working in a residential field centre teaching biology and geography fieldwork, outdoor pursuits and adult walking, canoeing and natural history courses.

Pippa Sharp studied French and then worked as a personal assistant in London, Lincolnshire and the Lake District before bringing up a family. She then joined the same residential field centre as a PA/Book-keeper and later as Bursar and Head of Centre's Deputy, managing the general day to day operations.