Our Honorary Award Supporters
Photo: Henrietta Thorpe
Young Scientific Explorer
Peter and June Felix
International management consultant. Former Chairman of the British-American Chamber of Commerce in New York and the global Association of Executive Search Consultants. Peter is now an executive mentor and career counsellor, Trustee and Chair of SES, and a member of the Advisory Board.
Plum Turner Pioneer with Purpose
Family of Victoria 'Plum' Turner
The Plum Turner Pioneer with Purpose award has been created in memory of Plum by her family.
Plum was born on 4 August 1990 and brought up in the Northamptonshire countryside. Amongst other sports she particularly enjoyed horse-riding, competing both at home and abroad. Attending local primary and secondary schools she loved sport and represented them at hockey, netball and tennis. She also attained ‘Gold’ level for The Duke of Edinburgh Award. Plum achieved three Grade As at A-level and went on to read politics at Edinburgh University from where she graduated with a 2:1. Her third year was spent as an Erasmus Scholar at the University of Santa Barbara, California, where she learnt to surf and gained her Private Pilot’s Licence.
Her first job was in London working in financial PR, followed by a marketing role at an ice cream start up. This led to her co-founding a sustainable e-commerce footwear company; bringing it from concept to profitability. Moving to the education sector she was a founding team member and Head of Marketing for The London Interdisciplinary School (LIS), a university which was the first new provider to secure degree awarding powers in 50 years. At the time of her accident Plum was MD of a company leading on digital innovation, Gen AI, cloud automation and customer experience solutions for healthcare and public services.
Outside work she completed seven marathons and was a long-distance trail runner. She enjoyed skiing, climbing and successfully ascended Mont Blanc. Aviation remained her passion where she was recognised as a ‘natural’ pilot, flying extensively in the UK and abroad. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society for whom she gave a lecture; Plum was also a member of the British Exploring Society.
Whilst attaining a great deal in her short, 33 years of life Plum was determined yet humble, never talked about herself, was always interested in others, loved her family, and had many friends from all walks of life. She possessed that rare quality of always bringing out the best in people. Not only was Plum much loved, she has left a huge gap in the lives of her parents, sister Camilla and those fortunate enough to have known her.
Plum was born on 4 August 1990 and brought up in the Northamptonshire countryside. Amongst other sports she particularly enjoyed horse-riding, competing both at home and abroad. Attending local primary and secondary schools she loved sport and represented them at hockey, netball and tennis. She also attained ‘Gold’ level for The Duke of Edinburgh Award. Plum achieved three Grade As at A-level and went on to read politics at Edinburgh University from where she graduated with a 2:1. Her third year was spent as an Erasmus Scholar at the University of Santa Barbara, California, where she learnt to surf and gained her Private Pilot’s Licence.
Her first job was in London working in financial PR, followed by a marketing role at an ice cream start up. This led to her co-founding a sustainable e-commerce footwear company; bringing it from concept to profitability. Moving to the education sector she was a founding team member and Head of Marketing for The London Interdisciplinary School (LIS), a university which was the first new provider to secure degree awarding powers in 50 years. At the time of her accident Plum was MD of a company leading on digital innovation, Gen AI, cloud automation and customer experience solutions for healthcare and public services.
Outside work she completed seven marathons and was a long-distance trail runner. She enjoyed skiing, climbing and successfully ascended Mont Blanc. Aviation remained her passion where she was recognised as a ‘natural’ pilot, flying extensively in the UK and abroad. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society for whom she gave a lecture; Plum was also a member of the British Exploring Society.
Whilst attaining a great deal in her short, 33 years of life Plum was determined yet humble, never talked about herself, was always interested in others, loved her family, and had many friends from all walks of life. She possessed that rare quality of always bringing out the best in people. Not only was Plum much loved, she has left a huge gap in the lives of her parents, sister Camilla and those fortunate enough to have known her.
Photo: Damon de Laszlo
John Blashford-Snell Explorer
The de Laszlo Foundation
The de Laszlo Foundation was established in 1987 for the advancement and promotion of education and interest in the visual arts; to encourage research into the restoration of works of art; to advance education and research generally in the areas of arts, science, economics, and medicine; and to encourage the study, reproduction, and cataloguing of works of art.
Photo: Frances Eyre Photography
Lifetime Achievement
Christopher Wright FRGS
International businessman and former investment banker with a diversified portfolio of investment and management interests around the world. Christopher’s main directorships are with Merifin Capital in Belgium, Roper Technologies in the US, GP Investments in Sao Paulo, Spice Equity in Switzerland, and Yimei Capital in Shanghai.
American Friends Explorer
Lisa and Courtland Peddy
Lisa and Courtland are entrepreneurs, investors, and board members based in South Florida. Each co-founded, built and sold a business, Courtland in the self-storage industry and Lisa one of the first online financial services marketplaces. Lisa also helped build Zumba into the largest branded fitness program globally. Their investments range from hotels to beverages to technology companies. Both love boating, snow skiing and care about conservation.
Photo: Frances Eyre Photography
Pioneer with Purpose
Craig Cohon
Craig is a London-based Canadian businessman known for his role in bringing both Cirque du Soleil and Coca-Cola to Russia. He has also been active in international development, initially with the World Economic Forum and in community development in London. He was one of the first Canadian venturers of Operation Raleigh, and is committed to creating a carbon-neutral lifestyle for the rest of his life and through his 'Walk It Back' mission.
