• Enable the advancement of knowledge through the initiation and the support of challenging expeditions around the world. To achieve this mission The SES will:
  
• Ensure the provision of experienced and professional exploration leadership in support of scientific research and conservation projects.
  
• Enhance the professional development and leadership potential of participants through their involvement in practical exploration and research.
  
• Ensure all projects aim to leave a legacy of benefit to the community

• Initiate and support challenging, interesting and varied self-funding expeditions each year, comprising of scientists and specialists, fee-paying participants, in country experts and professional staff.
  
• The spread of expeditions, within the criteria of the Mission Statement, will cover different subjects, varied terrain and a combination of scientific research and conservation objectives requiring a wide range of skills and fitness levels from the participants.

• All expedition members either have, or will be provided with, appropriate training and will be assigned specific roles within the team.
  
• Where possible, one expedition per year will be a larger, ongoing 'flagship' expedition.
  
• Through an exciting programme of expeditions, supported by well prepared and timely expedition reports, The SES will continue to be recognised as a leading organisation for excellence in science, conservation and exploration.

Chairman of the Society
Andrew Mitchell BSc, FRGS

Honorary Treasurer
David Young FCA

Honorary Solicitor
Richard Wheen MA

SES Council Members
Ruth Cartwright FRGS;Dr John Davies MB, ChB, DRCOG, DTM&H, MSc (Med Sci) Travel Medicine,
FRGS, MSc Medical Anthropology; Barbara Jeffrey; Mike Laird PIOR, FRGS, DipCll, FRAS; Barry Moss FRGS;

Co-opted Council Members
Jane Davis FRGS; Cmdr Christopher Mahony RN; Deanne Mahony B.Soc.Sc, HDE

Honorary Vice Presidents
Phyllis Angliss; Wendy Bentall FLS; Sir Ranulph Fiennes Bt OBE; Philip Harrison FRGS;
Ambassador Eric Hotung CBE; Richard Snailham MA, FRGS; Elodie Sandford

The SES co-operates with SES Jersey

Overseas Representations
Econ Yolima Cipagauta (Latin America); Captain John Hinchliffe (Myanmar);
John Edwards (India); Professor Terbish (Mongolia); Ato Solomon (Ethiopia);
Jill Weir (Canada); Major General Joe Singh MSS, MSc (Guyana)

Andrew Mitchell, a leading international authority on forests and climate change, founded Global Canopy Programme, an international network linking leading worldwide scientific institutions focused on tropical forest research and conservation. His current focus is researching innovative financial mechanisms that value forests as natural capital in a 21st century economy where tropical forests, acting as an ecosystem service, underpin worldwide climate, food, water, energy and livelihood security in Amazonia.

An impassioned advocate of forest conservation, his 35 year career spans scientific research, broadcast journalism and environmental policy. He also advises international governments and institutions, including the Prince of Wales' Rainforest Project. In 2009 he launched the Forest Footprint Disclosure Project, endorsed by institutional investors with over $5 Trillion of assets under management, and in 2010, he launched The REDD Desk on-line knowledge platform with the Forum on REDD Readiness, following GCP’s successful Little REDD Book series.

Ruth Cartwright FRGS - In 1976, Ruth had been responsible for the funding of the Army Mountaineer Association’s successful ascent of Mount Everest.

Following this, John Blashford-Snell invited her to join him in the planning of Operation Drake, which proved to be the beginning of a number of world wide expeditions involving 18 - 24 year olds

After creating and filling the role of Sponsorship & PR Director for Op Drake, Ruth went back to expanding her own Ruth Mindel Consultancy business, whist remaining as a Trustee for the SES. She specializes in arranging Corporate Events at International Trade Shows for Multi National Companies.

She is married to a fellow SES stalwart, Ben Cartwright and has a daughter, Louise.

Barbara Jeffrey's magazine publishing career included Global Marketing Director for Conde Nast Vogue Asia-Pacific as well as various marketing positions at fashion magazines in New York City. She is currently a Producer/Creative Services Director based in London.

She has worked, lived, and travelled to Tokyo, Rome, and the Middle East. Her travels include trekking in Nepal, and African safari and exploring India. She participated in various Operation Drake expeditions.

She is married and lives in London

Mike Laird has visited almost 80 countries and led expeditions in areas such as the Danakil in Ethiopia, retraced the fatal 'Into the Wild' journey in central Alaska and cycled solo across Australia. For all of 2000 he was a participant in the BBC's reality documentary 'Castaway 2000'.

He is the founder and Trustee of charity Marocaroundtheclock which has delivered projects in Morocco and Senegal.

Mike is currently working on projects in Iraq. He is also an accomplished photographer and diver, and lectures on remote travel. Mike is a Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society, a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society, an Honorary Member of the Anglo Bolivian Society and has been involved with the SES since joining the Kota Mama V expedition in 2004.

Barry Moss is a risk management specialist and has been involved with the SES since becoming a 'Young Explorer' on Operation Drake in 1981. He also led one of the first phases of Operation Raleigh to the Turks and Caicos Islands and was Deputy Expedition Leader to JBS on Kota Mama I. He is currently Chairman of the British Chapter of The Explorers' Club and has served as a Director of the Club's Board in New York. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

David Young FCA is a Chartered Accountant who has worked in the Oil, Gas and Diamond producing industries both in the UK and overseas. He is also Treasurer of three charities and Honorary Treasurer of The Travellers Club in London.

He has worked, lived, and travelled in various countries in the Middle East, Far East and Africa. His travels include the Kurdistan foothills, Ur and the Marshes in Iraq; the deserts of the lower Gulf; journeying part of the Silk Road in Uzbekistan; studying the Asian elephant in Southern India; the Niah Caves, the Kalabit highlands and Mount Kinabalu in Sarawak and Sabah; the Sinai and Saqqarah in Egypt; and Ethiopia, Kenya and Lesotho.

He is married with two children now both married. His interests include ballet, opera, classical music and Islamic culture.

The Society, a registered charity (No 267410), incorporated in England as a Company limited by guarantee (No 1145214)
Registered office: Pound View, 26 Chertsey Road, Chobham, Surrey *