Who We Are
Adventure Oban is a charity and is led by a volunteer board of directors from the local area. We come from a wide variety of backgrounds.
The Board are assisted by a selection of sub-groups. The sub-groups are led by a director from the Board and are made up of volunteers from the local area.
Find out more about who everyone is and why they’re interested in Adventure Oban by reading the profiles below:
Board
Dave Bleazard
Chairman
Dave is a keen diver , kayaker and skier who moved to Oban 35 years ago and the outdoor opportunities in Argyll have kept him here since. He has taught many people in the area to kayak and dive over the years.
Dave owns and runs the outdoor shop Outside Edge and has been involved with many club committees and was on the board of Atlantis Leisure for 25 years.
Ben Sunderland
Company Secretary
Ben is a musician and film-maker, working all over the country via his Oban based company Forss Creative. Following university, work in the music industry took him throughout the world before returning to Oban. Being able to contribute to a project like Adventure Oban that gives back to the community he grew up in is a wonderful privilege. A keen boater, Ben loves any chance to get out on the water - rain or shine!
Jane Churchill
Treasurer
Jane is passionate about community development & social enterprise and has been working in the third sector in Scotland for 20 years. Jane is responsible for supporting and setting up many community-led projects and bringing in millions of pounds to the sector. Jane works with projects representing health, arts and the outdoors. Jane loves nothing more than swimming in the sea, being on her bike or away in her van on an adventure!
Isla McCulloch
Director
Isla works as the Community Shares Programme Manager for Co-operatives UK, supporting co-operatives and community groups across the UK to set up, grow and raise finance, specialising in community shares. Previously travelling across the country regularly, she is now in Oban permanently and loves sea swimming or SUPing in all seasons, cycling round the bay and getting lost in the hills and woods around the town.
Neil Matheson
Director
Neil is a local businessman, having run a number of businesses throughout Argyll for more than 30 years. A passionate social entrepreneur, Neil is the current Chairman of Atlantis Leisure - having served as a founding Director since the organisation started over 27 years ago. Neil’s a very keen boater, cyclist and FitBit chaser!
Iwan Roberts
Director
Iwan is happiest when outdoors, whether hillwalking, skiing, mountain biking or kayaking. Basically, anything that involves mountains, water or moving fast! He has extensive experience working in management in the sport and leisure industry, he’s also the co-founder of Wee Walk Oban, and is passionate about the positive impact the great outdoors has on physical and mental health.
Laura Corbe
Director
Laura enjoys many adventure sports & activities on land & water, both above & below the surface. She is passionate about conservation & the natural environment believing that repairing our relationship with nature is key to our own happiness. Laura hopes to promote awareness & enjoyment of our beautifully situated town.
Sub-Groups
Adventure Oban has a lot to do! We make sure everything is done properly and with an equal level of care and attention by dividing the work amongst sub-groups. Sub-groups work on bitesize, often temporary projects and report summaries of their work back to the Board, who review and approve anything that requires progressing. Current topics being worked on by individual sub-groups include governance & structure, marketing, activities and development.
Each sub-group is led by a director from the Board but all rely on volunteers giving their time to help. If you would like to volunteer or have an idea that you think a sub-group could work on please do get in touch.
Current sub group members include:
Iwan Roberts, Ross Lilley, Billy Thomson, Doreen Henderson, Jane Churchill, William Humphries, Neil Matheson, Patrick Winterton, Laura Corbe, Ben Sunderland, Isla McCulloch, Dave Bleazard.
Adventurers of Oban
Adventurers of Oban is a weekly series that hears from different guests about why they love Oban and why they think it’s the perfect location for them to enjoy the outdoors. Click the button to read more:
Partners
Atlantis Leisure
Community-run and operated, Atlantis Leisure is Argyll’s premier health and leisure centre. Situated in the heart of Oban, Atlantis has operated as a highly successful social enterprise for over 27 years, gaining national acclaim for its innovative programs.
BID4Oban
BID4Oban is Oban’s Business Improvement District (BID). A BID is a proven business-led initiative, supported by legislation, where businesses work together and invest collectively in local improvements to their business environment. BID do a phenomenal amount of work to improve Oban for the community, plus lots more behind the scenes. Andy and his team are a huge source of support to Adventure Oban, offering advice, opening up opportunities and helping get our story out there.
Coastal Connection
Run by brothers Cameron and Struan Smith, Coastal Connection is a private charter and commercial boat trip operator. Based out of stunning Loch Feochan and making our islands and lochs more accessible than ever before, Struan and Cameron are the best people to show you Argyll from the sea.
Wee Walk Oban
Born during 2020’s Lockdown, Wee Walk Oban is an initiative to get the people of Oban out and about, rediscovering favourite forgotten trails, sights and routes.
