The Headwater snow team

Administration Consultant

Justly proud of her Italian heritage, Alessia was born in Florence, Tuscany, and spent many of her early years growing up in the Florentine Hills to the North of the city, an area called Mugello famous for its fine arts, exquisite food and fields of sunflowers! After studying languages, she decided to broaden her horizons by heading out to Egypt where she gained work accompanying groups around the country. On returning to Europe Alessia decided to continue her travels in Scandanavia where she became a professional cross-country ski instructor and went on to work several winters for a local ski school in Austria. Apart from travel, Alessia is passionate about photography, theatre, cycling and cookery.

Finance & Operations Director

For the last 18 years, Tina James has been responsible for the Finance and Operations Department at Headwater. A passionate francophile and avid traveller, Tina is happiest on skis, on her motorbike or relaxing on some far flung island with a chilled glass of something decent in her hand!

Programme Manager

Charlie has been a Programme Manager at Headwater for 5 years now and says that she's lucky that part of her job role includes many of the things she really enjoys doing: using languages and getting out and about walking, cycling and cross-country skiing. She often spends weekends in Wales in the summer walking, cycling or diving. Having family in the French Alps means she can spend a couple of holidays a year there walking or skiing too. She loves all things food related and could be classed as addicted to cookery programmes!

Product Research

Matt has just returned to the UK after living in Italy for the last 8 years. He started working with Headwater in 2000 coordinating cycling and walking programmes in Umbria and the Veneto, before completing a mountain leadership course to work as a walking guide in Tuscany and Basilicata. In 2003 Matt went to Lillehammer in Norway to become a qualified cross-country ski instructor and went on to spend several seasons instructing and guiding groups in Austria and Finland. Now he's decided to put down some roots in a more permanent capacity, putting his experience and knowlege of travel into creating exciting new destinations for the Headwater brochure! Besides Matt's passion for travel he also loves sports and keeps himself busy cycling and walking in his spare time.

Operations Manager

Mike's background is in youth work but he says he's had more jobs in more places than you can shake a stick at. He spent several years working in France, doing anything from shovelling grapes in a wine cave to bus driver and canoe instructor. His interests include skiing, walking, canoeing and spending as much time in France as he can. His ambition is "to retire at 40, buy a yacht and become an international playboy"!