About Excel Outdoors

Excel Outdoors comes out of 25 years experience on the hill. My Name is Thomas Kelly and I am the CEO of Excel Outdoors, my first memory of the outdoors is being dragged up a gully on Dow Crag and wild camping at Goat's Water. Since then the outdoors has been a huge part of my life. I completed my DofE Awards, began supporting my centre as a Leader and DofE Manager.

For the past 17 years I have worked for the DofE Charity initially comms and leading outdoor training, then as an Operations Manager for 8 years and during the Covid year of 2020 as Acting Director for the North of England. 

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During my time with DofE I delivered outdoor training qualifications, led DofE expeditions and was responsible for the Cumbria Assessment Network. I have provided consultancy to local authorities for outdoor provision and AALS and provided consultancy to schools delivering DofE expeditions. 

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2020 and 2021 have been extremely difficult years for all and has given many of us the opportunity to reflect on our careers and purpose. For me I realised that my passion is for developing and training people and helping them to excel in life and hence Excel Outdoors was born.