Our
Staff Team

Nick Cotton, Executive Director

Nick is the Executive Director of Outward Bound International, bringing extensive leadership experience in education and outdoor learning. Previously leading Outward Bound Hong Kong and serving on OBI’s Operations Committee, he has a strong record of organisational growth, resilience, and collaboration across cultures.

An avid climber, cyclist, and father of three, Nick embodies the spirit of Outward Bound both professionally and personally.

SARAH WILEY, Associate Director

Sarah is an experienced educational leader who has been actively involved in adventure and experiential education for over 30 years. Former instructor, Program Director and then Executive Director at Outward Bound Canada, Sarah was the Chair of OBI’s Operations Committee before joining the OBI staff team in 2019. Sarah supports OBI’s strategic priorities with a particular focus on research and evaluation, global communications and fundraising.

Sarah is an active outdoors person and enjoys climbing, hiking, running, skiing and spending time with her husband and son in the outdoors.

Manu SchiJf, risk management

Manu has more than 20 years of experience in the outdoor sector, spanning New Zealand, the US, and the UK. Beginning his career as an instructor, he has since taken on leadership roles in training, safety, and management. At Outward Bound International, Manu oversees risk management across the global network, coordinating and leading reviews that help Schools strengthen their systems and ensure the highest standards of safety and quality.

richard nelson, office 365 co-ordinator

Richard is a highly experienced, innovative and passionate Technology Leader who helps deliver engaging transformational solutions and is driven by the belief that Technology should help, not hinder, people and organizations. Richard is the IT Manager at the Outward Bound Trust in the UK, where he has worked for the last 17 years. At Outward Bound International, Richard supports the global membership in their adoption, coordination and management of the global Microsoft 365 platform as a means to increase efficiencies and enhance and expand communication and collaboration throughout the network.

sara Morrison, social media coordinator

Sara has worked for Outward Bound since 2007, first as an instructor and then eventually moving to Fundraising and Development at the North Carolina Outward Bound School, part of the OB USA network of Schools. Her work with Outward Bound has taken her to Florida, Australia and North Carolina where she currently resides in Asheville with her family.  Sara’s role with OBI is to help spread the word through OBI’s various social media platforms about the amazing impact Outward Bound has all over the globe .