Meet The Team 

Our team brings together experienced travel professionals, educators, and sports specialists who are passionate about creating memorable student experiences.

Our People

  • A man wearing a red wide-brimmed hat, dark sunglasses, a black t-shirt, and light-colored shorts standing on rocks by the ocean with clear blue water and small boats in the background.

    Andrew Cook

    CEO

    Andrew, a PE teacher at the time, joined forces with Scott and James in 2011 to combine their shared passions for education, sport, travel, and events to create what is now known as The Twedex Group.

    Andrew now heads up Twedex’s International Tours Division, and is passionate about giving every single student that travels with Twedex an experience that they will not only remember, but that helps develop them as people. In his spare time, you might find Andrew throwing his weight around on a football pitch or throwing weights around in the gym.

  • Excited man in colorful winter clothes celebrating at a snowy mountain ski resort with mountains, snow, and other skiers in the background.

    Calum Erskine

    Head of Ski and Safeguarding

    Calum is an ex-PE teacher of 13 years having taught in Scotland, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong and Dubai. An all round fitness enthusiast (including Triathlons) with a love for travel. Calum now oversees our Ski division, as well as operating as the Safeguarding lead for the group business. He is passionate about creating memorable opportunities for young people outside of the classroom!

  • A man wearing sunglasses, a cap, and a light gray fleece jacket sits on rocks by the ocean, with mountains and a clear blue sky in the background.

    Ally Mackinnon

    Head of International Tours

    With 11 years of experience teaching PE in Scotland and Dubai, Ally brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our organization. An avid traveler, he thrives on exploring the unknown, fueled by fond memories of school trips both as a student and a teacher. Ally leads our sales team, leveraging his background as an ex-footballer turned manager. If he’s not creating unforgettable memories, you’ll find him looking for his ball on the golf course.

  • A man in a grey t-shirt, pink shorts, and a black cap, sitting in a bright green kayak on a calm river surrounded by lush green trees and large rocky cliffs.

    Rhys Gorman

    Head of Sport Tours

    Rhys joined Twedex with a background of 10 years experience in Financial Services as Operations Manager and Account Manager. An ex-professional footballer in Ireland, he has always fostered a huge passion for sports and the outdoors. Now blending his passions with his career, helping to create memories for students that last a lifetime.

  • Carla Sass

    Head of Service and Sustainability Tours

    With 18 years of experience in teaching, Carla brings a strong educational foundation and a genuine passion for travel to her role at Twedex. She leads the company’s service learning and sustainability tours, combining meaningful global experiences with impactful educational outcomes. Drawing on her extensive knowledge of international educational travel, Carla is committed to creating programmes that not only inspire students but also leave a positive and lasting impact on the communities they visit.

  • A man wearing sunglasses, a white t-shirt, and a red-and-white keffiyeh scarf, standing in a desert with sand dunes, holding a bird of prey on his arm.

    James Hair

    CFO

    James is a seasoned finance expert who attained Chartered Accountant qualification with EY prior to assuming roles in finance and strategy at the Weir Group plc, operating in both Glasgow and Texas. Having overseen the growth of the Twedex Group on a part time basis, James stepped into the business full time at the end of 2019. Sharing a passion for sport with the team, when he’s not in the office he can often be found on the golf course and maybe even helping out on the ski slopes on one of our trips.

  • A young man with dark hair is standing on a soccer field in a stadium, smiling, wearing a white t-shirt, carrying a backpack, headphones around his neck, and a smartwatch on his left wrist.

    Dean Cassidy

    Events and Tours Coordinator

    Dean Cassidy is originally from Ireland and has been living in the UAE since 2017. With a background in education and coaching, he previously worked as Head of PE and Sport at an international school in Dubai. As an Events and Tours Coordinator at Twedex, Dean is passionate about delivering high-quality sports events and unforgettable experiences for students and young people.

  • A woman skydiving outdoors with a wide smile, wearing protective goggles, with a sky and clouds in the background.

    Lexie Pettitt

    Marketing and Media Executive

    Lexie recently graduated from Loughborough University and is passionate about travel, creating exciting experiences, and bringing creative ideas to life. With a strong interest in marketing, content, and destination planning, she helps showcase unforgettable tours and experiences for students and groups.

  • Four men standing close together taking a selfie, with a city skyline and river in the background during sunset.

    Janaka Vimikthi

    Tour Representative

    Originally from Sri Lanka, Janaka is passionate about creating unforgettable travel experiences and showcasing the very best the island has to offer. As a Travel Executive, they help coordinate tours, experiences, and day-to-day operations, ensuring every trip runs smoothly from start to finish. From cultural highlights and adventure activities to local experiences and hidden gems, they are dedicated to delivering authentic and memorable journeys across Sri Lanka.

  • A man in a navy blue shirt and shorts taking a selfie with a person in a horror costume with a grotesque mask and bloody hands outside a building with yellow walls and a window.

    Osama Al Bloushi

    Tour Representative

    Meet Osama, a dynamic force behind our Operations and Tours team, with extensive experience in events, including the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. As a certified tour guide, he sets the bar high, crafting top-tier experiences for students and staff. Osama’s passion and expertise in Sports and Events Management drive him to create unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impact on our students.

  • A woman in a dark floral blouse smiling while attending a United Nations conference. The conference room is filled with delegates from various countries, with nameplates and flags visible for India, Brazil, Canada, and the United States. A large screen behind her displays the UN logo.

    Kerry Mansfield

    Head of Educational Tours

    With a strong background in education and student development, Kerry leads our Educational Tours division with a passion for creating meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom. As Head of Educational Tours, Kerry works closely with schools and partners to design inspiring, safe, and engaging programmes that combine travel, culture, and education. Dedicated to delivering unforgettable experiences for students and staff alike, Kerry ensures every tour is both impactful and memorable.

  • A man wearing sunglasses, a striped blazer, and a gray hoodie sitting by a pond with a traditional Japanese castle in the background during daytime.

    Joan Garcia

    Media and Content Creator

    Born in Barcelona, Joan is our media content creator and the person you’ll most often see with a camera in hand. With a creative eye and innovative approach, he captures the moments and details that bring each experience to life. Fluent in Spanish and Catalan, he also helps co-manage our tours and events across Spain, ensuring everything runs smoothly and feels authentic.

  • A man in a white shirt and black shorts jumps in the air with a big smile, with the pyramid of Khafre in the background on a clear day.

    Salem Mubarik

    Tour Representative

    Salem plays a key role in delivering exceptional travel experiences for students and groups. His role involves coordinating operations, ensuring smooth travel logistics, and creating memorable and engaging experiences throughout each journey. Passionate about travel, sports, and adventure, Salem is dedicated to delivering well-organised tours that combine learning, culture, and fun while ensuring every trip runs seamlessly from start to finish.

  • A young man in a black hoodie standing on the Brooklyn Bridge with the bridge's stone towers and suspension cables in the background, with a crowd of people walking across the bridge.

    Daniel Shields

    Head of Operations

    Daniel has been with the business since graduating from the University of Stirling in 2016 and has been part of the team throughout a period of exciting growth.

    With a background in sports journalism and marketing, Daniel supports the marketing and communications activities throughout the business while leading operations on a range of Twedex tours and events.

    A keen traveler and a long-suffering supporter of Hibernian and the Scotland national team, Daniel’s passion for sport and events allows him to dedicate his working life to creating unforgettable opportunities for young people across the globe.