About SHACADEMY

SHACADEMY is not simply a consultancy, and it is not one person. It is an organisation built on decades of practical experience and a network of trusted specialists who have delivered real projects in the real world.

Everything we do draws on years of on-the-ground delivery — on the water, in the field, behind the scenes of productions, expeditions, events and education programmes — and on the people we’ve built relationships with along the way.

The work has always come before the qualification, the network before the brochure, and the relationship before the contract. That order matters.

What clients and partners describe is consistent: experienced people who have been there before, who tell the truth quickly, and who know the right people to make a good project succeed.

The right expertise, from the right people, for the right project.

Operator. Entrepreneur. Systems Builder.

SHACADEMY was not created in a boardroom.

SHACADEMY is built on more than three decades of practical experience across safety, outdoor operations, business development and project delivery.

The organisation brings together lessons learned from developing venues, running events, managing risk, building businesses, leading teams and creating systems that help organisations operate more effectively.

The experience behind SHACADEMY spans lifeguarding, swimming instruction, outdoor leadership, venue development, event operations, production support, expedition logistics, business creation and technology development.

Along the way, that experience helped create and develop organisations, events and systems including The SHAC, GLAGLA UK, large-scale open water events, venue operations, digital booking systems, Ask Matt, SmartBand and Race Mode.

Many consultants understand theory.

Many operators understand delivery.

Many technology companies understand software.

SHACADEMY sits in the middle.

We combine practical operational experience, commercial understanding and technology that supports people rather than replacing them.

SHACADEMY is not built solely on past experience. Alongside client work, Skip continues to contribute to how the outdoor sector develops — through consultancy, operational delivery, coaching and involvement in the standards that shape safe, credible practice.

That contribution includes ongoing input into the review and development of the STA Open Water Lifeguard qualification, and the creation of one of the UK’s first structured e-foil coach training programmes to reach insurable status — helping establish a practical framework for commercial coaching and delivery in an emerging discipline.

It also includes the continued development of operational systems designed to support capable people in demanding environments — SmartBand, Race Mode, Ask Matt and the SHACADEMY Independent Operational Review Methodology among them — alongside day-to-day consultancy, mentoring and operational support for venues, organisations, events and outdoor businesses.

This work is supported by recognised coaching, safety and leadership qualifications, maintained as part of professional practice rather than presented as credentials. The emphasis remains on experience, contribution and the quiet business of helping the sector do things well.