Team

As Managing Director of R3 Safety and Rescue and one of the founders of the company in 2013, Paul has been the driving force in the growth, development and reputation of the business ever since.

Paul’s background in outdoor education, whitewater kayaking and climbing, led him towards a career in the rescue training industry, which he is passionate about. His rescue training experience builds upon his extensive international involvement working as a mountaineering instructor and working on whitewater rivers as a raft guide, kayak coach and expedition kayaker, which has included first descents of rivers in Pakistan, Iran and Papua New Guinea.

Paul is regarded as one the the most respected technical experts in the water and flood field and has played a key role in the development of Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Training in the UK. He led the development of several Rescue 3 programs including the ‘Rescue from Vehicles in Water’ and ‘Management of Water and Flood Incidents’ courses. Paul has been the recipient of the Higgins and Langley Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Swiftwater Rescue for his involvement in the UK Chief Fire Officers Association’s Management of Major Flood Events Research Project.

He is a highly experienced rescue trainer in several disciplines including, water/flood, rope/working at height and confined space and has delivered rescue courses across the globe. In addition to a Degree in Outdoor Education, Paul has a Diploma in Health and Safety Management and a Certificate in Expert Witness.

When away from his laptop and e-mails Paul enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities and travel. He is a keen cyclist and triathlete having completed in a number of long distance triathlons including Ironman Switzerland and Elbaman.

Josh O’Brien brings over ten years of experience in helping organisations improve preparedness through consultancy-led safety and rescue solutions. With a strong foundation in operational search and rescue and adventure tourism, he focuses on delivering comprehensive strategies that equip organisations to navigate complex environments and manage risk effectively.

An experienced rescue trainer specialising in swiftwater and rope rescue, Josh has delivered safety and rescue courses worldwide. He is currently studying for a Master’s in Emergency Planning, Response, and Resilience.

Outside of work Josh enjoys running, climbing, kayaking, and skiing, balancing his outdoor passions with family, work, and volunteering on his local mountain rescue team.

Since discovering kayaking in his youth, Ian’s passion for the outdoors has guided his career path within the outdoor industry. Beginning with outdoor education, he then combined work with adventure travel leading whitewater rafting and snowmobile trips through different seasons. Ian’s journey continued with certification as a Rescue 3 Instructor before returning to the UK to serve as an Emergency Medical Technician with the Welsh Ambulance Service. His diverse background in both outdoor pursuits and emergency services culminated in his current position at R3 SAR Gear, where he specialises in supplying safety and rescue products tailored to diverse end users.

Beyond work, Ian enjoys innovating new outdoor products and spending quality time with dogs and horses.

Gill has been with R3 Safety & Rescue since the business was formed in 2013 and now works part time as Technical Sales Coordinator with R3SAR GEAR.

Having served as a Police Officer in Lancashire Constabulary and more recently as a Paramedic with North West Ambulance Service in Cheshire and Merseyside, Gill has many years front line experience working within the emergency services and alongside other agencies.

In addition, she also spent several years as an RSPCA Inspector completing her initial water and rope rescue training and the YHA level 2 Power Boat qualification before working in South West London, Lancashire and Cumbria. During this time, she was involved in planning, risk assessing and overseeing numerous animal rescues, including horses and agricultural animals from rivers with various Fire and Rescue Services. In 2017 Gill completed the Rescue 3 Europe ‘Rope Rescue Operator’ Course.

Outside of work Gill’s main passion is all things equine and as well as riding her horse 2-3 times per week she also enjoys travelling, fell walking, cycling, skiing and sailing, passing her RYA Day Skipper Qualification in 2016.  Gill is also currently working her way through the Welsh 100 series, walking Wales’s highest 100 peaks with her 3 hounds, Ted, Ralph & Bella.

Sarah was once described by a university lecturer as someone who “seems to quite like the minutiae of life,” a trait that served her well throughout her academic career and previous role as a secondary school science teacher. Sarah now focuses on the details of financial matters for R3 SAR, finding that while behaviour management issues are fewer, obtaining receipts from instructors can be as challenging as getting homework from teenagers.

Sarah has completed numerous Rescue 3 Swiftwater and Rescue Technician courses and is qualified as both a kayak instructor and a raft guide. Sarah is busy outside of work introducing her daughter to kayaking, rafting, mountain biking, and skiing.

Sarah is known for her meticulous organisational skills, honed over many years of effectively managing tasks, always with the aid of a list. Since 2022, she has applied her expertise to organising training courses at R3 Safety and Rescue.

Outside of work Sarah is a Welsh learner and bookworm who loves spending time in the beautiful hills and somewhat unreliable surf of north Wales.

Paddy’s journey to become a Technical Rescue Instructor began 15 years ago in the rugged terrain of north Wales, where he embarked on his first rafting and whitewater adventures. Since then, he has seamlessly blended his passion for the outdoors with specialised training in water and rope safety. With 7 years of dedicated experience as a freelance Swiftwater Rescue Technician Instructor (SRTI) and a recent qualification as a Rope Rescue Operator Instructor (RROI), Paddy is committed to equipping individuals with the vital skills needed to save lives in challenging situations.

Paddy’s wealth of experience in whitewater safety makes him uniquely equipped to deliver a range of swiftwater rescue training.

Colin hails from North Yorkshire, where the proximity of the great outdoors inspired his career in outdoor activities. His journey began as an Activity Instructor where his dedication and skill led to a role in developing and delivering training for a team of 600 instructors, with a focus on equipment inspections and working at height training. Colin settled in north east Wales and began volunteering with the local Mountain Rescue Team and North Wales Cave Rescue team, aiming to give back to his community. Through his voluntary work, Colin has earned qualifications in both water and rope rescue, gaining extensive experience in diverse rescue scenarios, making him a vastly experienced technical rescue instructor.

Outside of work Colin is passionate about walking and climbing as well as caving and mine exploration.

Ash has a broad background in specialist equipment, maintenance systems, and logistics processes. With experience working across multiple sites and national operations, Ash brings a practical, methodical approach to ensuring equipment is maintained to a high standard and ready for use in demanding, safety-critical environments. His work is driven by attention to detail, strong technical knowledge, and a clear understanding of how effective maintenance and logistics underpin operational safety.

An active outdoor enthusiast, Ash spends much of his time mountain biking, road cycling, climbing, and whitewater kayaking. This hands-on experience in high-risk, dynamic environments directly informs his professional approach, helping ensure that equipment is not only compliant and well maintained, but genuinely fit for purpose when it matters most.

Jordan’s journey as a rescue trainer began in 2009 and he has been instrumental in delivering comprehensive swiftwater, boat and rope rescue courses to emergency responders where he has witnessed the transformative impact of effective training on individuals and teams. Jordan joined the prestigious United World College of South East Asia, where he gained invaluable experience of the teaching and learning process. The college’s multicultural and dynamic environment sharpened Jordan’s adaptability and enhanced his ability to address various learning needs effectively.

Jordan is an avid enthusiast of kayaking, running, climbing, mountaineering and skiing and is actively engaged with the challenges and joys of outdoor activities.

Andy has a distinguished background in mountaineering and rescue operations. With a qualification in Marine Geology, Andy has been involved in the offshore exploration industry since 2000, managing environmental impact assessments, site investigations, and renewable energy projects in remote environments. He has led industrial rescue teams for 20 years and, as a Level 3 IRATA rope access technician has trained numerous technicians. Andy spent 10 years with the RAF Mountain Rescue Service, holds the Mountaineering and Climbing Instructors (MCI) award, and serves as the Chair Elect of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors. He frequently collaborates with the film and TV industry, providing safety consultancy and rigging solutions. Additionally, he delivers confined space training and has contributed to major projects in the UK and USA. He currently delivers advanced rescue training courses for wind turbine technicians and has recently trained European armed forces teams in Urban Tactical Rope Techniques. Having held a Rescue 3 Rope Rescue Instructor qualification for three years, Andy aims to become an Instructor Trainer soon.

An avid adventurer, Andy enjoys all mountain-related activities and has travelled and climbed worldwide, with a current focus on multi-day big wall routes. His hobbies include photography, videography, paragliding, cycling, and sailing. Presently, he is dedicating his spare time to owning and maintaining a 28ft yacht built in 1972.

Paul is an experienced technical rescue instructor and instructor trainer in rope, water and boat, with over 20 years of teaching experience in the swiftwater and rope rescue fields. Paul spent 13 years in various Paramedic roles within the NHS including HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) and as Senior Paramedic. During this time he was seconded to NARU (National Ambulance Resilience Unit) to develop a flood management program for UK ambulance tactical advisors. He has also worked with a diverse number of commercial and rescue orientated organisations globally. If not teaching technical rescue, Paul deploys as a wilderness paramedic and safety advisor to remote areas of the globe.

Paul has a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Planning and Management, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, a Higher Education Diploma in Paramedic Practice and is currently completing a Masters Degree in Expedition and Wilderness Medicine.

Paul has been involved with remote area expeditions and risk management for more than 30 years. His expeditions are diverse both in location and mode from white water kayaking  to high altitude ski mountaineering, thus developing an extensive skill set that easily translates to the philosophy and foundations of technical rescue.

Rob has over 20 years of service as a firefighter with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. His roles have included serving as a station rope lead instructor and lead command support trainer, responsible for developing personnel in vehicle use and command support on the fire ground. He is also part of the National Resilience Enhanced Logistical Support (ELS) team and has deployed with the team and as a lead officer to coordinate major incidents in areas affected by flooding or other serious national incidents. Rob is an ELS instructor and plays a key role in developing the team. Previously, Rob has served as Operations Manager in a standby rescue team, managing and coordinating a team responsible for working in confined spaces and at heights on energy recovery facilities, biomass power stations, and incineration facilities.

Rob has provided training both in the UK and abroad, sharing his knowledge and skills with numerous organisations. Rob holds rope, water, and confined space instructor qualifications within Rescue 3 Europe. His passion lies in teaching and developing confined space operators and instructors. Additionally, he is a Rescue 3 Europe instructor trainer.

Within his role at R3 Safety and Rescue, Rob is the R3 Safety and Rescue Specialist Services rescue coordinator, overseeing training and exercises for their standby rescue team. Rob conducts various site visits, providing support in producing rescue plans, audits, and solutions to training, health and safety concerns.

Rob has also been a Scout Leader, where he has shared his practical skills and outdoor pursuits with youngsters, helping them develop confidence and self-esteem. When not working, Rob enjoys spending time with his Labradors, going on walks, and participating in country sports.

Rodger has dedicated 24 years to serving as a paramedic, with 14 of those years spent as a highly skilled HART (Hazardous Area Response Team) paramedic. His extensive experience in emergency medical services has equipped him with the expertise to handle a wide range of critical situations with precision and care.

In addition to his paramedic duties, Rodger is also a certified water instructor and rope instructor. His training and instructing skills in these areas have been instrumental in preparing teams for challenging rescue operations in aquatic environments and complex rope rescue scenarios. Rodger’s commitment to his profession and his continuous pursuit of excellence have made him a respected figure in the emergency medical community. His dedication to teaching and mentoring others ensures that the next generation of paramedics and rescue professionals are well-prepared to face the demands of their roles.

When he’s not on duty, Rodger enjoys spending time in nature, honing his skills in water sports and climbing, and sharing his knowledge with others.