Meet The Team

New Horizons is owned by Steve and Ann Smithson who set up the Dive Centre in 1993. Alongside Steve and Ann, New Horizons is run by a very impressive team of staff. Roger Gillatt has been with New Horizons for seven years and as well as being an enthusiastic instructor manages the retail side of the business. Bill Ritchie is the latest addition to the full time instructornol staff allthough he has been helping on courses for a number of years and is an excellent addition to the team. Sue Coppack works full time in the office and her expertise is helping us keep our paperwork in order and make us work more efficiently. Sam Walker keeps the centre tidy, looks after the school gear and is an invaluable member of staff.

In addition to the permanent staff we are lucky to have a dozen or so very willing part time instructors and divemasters, many learnt originally to dive with New Horizons and got the ’bug’. Although these members of the team are part time we are proud to be able to say that their professionalism is second to none and their enthusiasm for what they do is always great to see.

The general business philosophy is to provide value for money without cutting corners and jeopardising safety. Our main aim is to produce safe and happy divers and we are glad to say that the whole team supports this policy. New Horizons builds on the strengths of its personnel and much of its growth is due to word of mouth recommendation and reputation.

Meet the team below and then have a look at what some of our students/customers have had to say.

Steve Smithson		Ann Smithson
Still enjoy diving after two decades and looking forward to exploring the many destinations I have still to get to. Love being underwater and sharing my experiences with others.		A partner in the business, after 25 years in the sport, my enthusiasm for being underwater; aquatic life and photography is as strong as ever.
Sue Coppack
I have always worked in an office environment and since joining New Horizons in 2003 have enjoyed the task of keeping the paperwork in order. Perhaps my next challenge will be to join the rest of the team in the underwater world.
Bill Ritchie		Christine Ritchie
I've been diving since 1996 and I love it - fresh water or salt water, cold or warm. The pleasure of sharing a dive with anything from soft coral to a hammerhead shark is electrifying.		My diving experience is split between British and Foreign warm-water diving, and I love both. The whole relaxing, under-water experience is fantastic, whether it be on a fascinating historical wreck or a beautiful colourful reef.
Brian Smalley		Darrell Smalley
I have been teaching at New Horizons since 1996. I am able to  teach many specialities and enjoy underwater photography, videography as well as getting wet at any opportunity.		I have been diving since 1995 and enjoy a variety of activities such as underwater photography, wrecks and exploration. I find it very rewarding teaching others to dive.
Martin Burgess		Rob Jenkins
I enjoy diving in the Seas around the UK with their amazing diversity of marine life, I also enjoy Wreck Diving, a good Drift Dive and Red Sea liveaboards with guaranteed sunshine!!		Passed my Open Water Diver in 1997 and have never looked back since. Now a qualified Master Scuba Diver Trainer, I still enjoy all the types of diving from the Red Sea and Indonesia to all around the UK.
Andrew Mainwaring		Viv Russell
I began diving with New Horizons in 1997 and have since gone on to become a part time instructor. I particually enjoy diving around the British Isles but have also dived in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and the Red Sea.		I was inspired to start diving by Hans and Lotte Haas a couple of years ago. It's been a lot better in colour. Most weekends I am gettiing wet in Anglesey.
Julie Morrissey		John Thomson
Main diving interest is nautical archaeology. I also teach windsurfing, kayaking, power boating, dinghy sailing and mountain walking. In my spare time I am an air traffic controller.		Diving for the last seven years, mostly with New Horizons. Interest in marine eco conservation, underwater photography, particually macro in warm Caribbean waters.
Don Maddox		Andy Domville
Have been diving since some time in the 70's. Have bottle, will dive.		I started diving 7 years ago, doing intro dives whilst on holiday and was bitten.. The 'buzz' was immense. The thrill on diving either in British waters or the warmer waters of the Red Sea never fails to fascinate me.
Brian Fairbrother		Guy Story
I have been with New Horizons since January 2002 and I have dived in the Caribbean, Red Sea, Mediterranean and the Uk. I can be a wreck or fish and Coral's I just like to be in the water.		My first dive was in February 1978 at the tender age of 14 and a day - homemade 5mm wetsuit and a Fenzy ABLJ....God I sound old. I have just left the Aviation after 24 years as a pilot for a "New Horizon" in the Scuba industry!
Janine Gartshore		Phil Wood
Started diving with New Horizons in 2003 and haven't stopped since. Dived all round the UK and been lucky enough to have dived in Australia, Red Sea, Japan and the Maldives.		Started diving in 2001, did a lot of my training with New Horizons and instructing with them since 2004. Dived in the UK, Turkey, Malta, Tunisia, Mexico and Egypt. I would love to dive in the Maldives at some point in the future. Best dive - whenever I see something new for the first time.
Peter Surridge
Been diving since 2001 which led me to spend 6 weeks doing coral reef conservation work in Mexico - one of the best experiences of my life. I can't imagine life without diving now.
Learn with the best.. …Put your mind at rest Read what our customers have said about us...