Meet the team
Training CoursesMartin Castle Ltd (MCL-UK) is a rope access company that was formed in 2008, primarily to provide working at height solutions and training. Many years have passed and experience gained to widen the breadth of not only training, but also rope access services that MCL-UK can now offer to its clients.
As the company has grown, Martin has brought in additional team members to meet the demand for the courses that he runs.
Martin Castle
Company Director
Martin Castle has been working in the rope access industry for nearly 20 years. When Martin set up MCL-UK in 2008, the company was primarily offering IRATA Training. IRATA Rope Access Training has always been a key part of the business and the scope of training has expanded to address the demand in other areas closely related to Industrial Rope Access. In parallel to this development, Martin has branched out to offer a range of consultancy and rope access services. As these areas have grown, so has our team. Martin overseas all activity within the business whilst remaining an active part of the training team. Martin is also an IRATA assessor. Climbing also plays a large part in Martin’s spare time, as well as caving and trekking.
Joanna Castle
Financial Controller
Joanna joined MCL-UK on a full-time basis in 2015. Joanna’s background is diverse, ranging from project management in the defence and aeronautics industry to banking, primarily equity research. Since taking up a full-time role with MCL-UK, Joanna has taken on responsibility for overseeing the company accounts, development of the website, IT support and other tasks to support the overall running of the business. As a keen runner, Joanna enjoys a range of outdoor activities, as well as pilates and yoga.
Jesper Eriksen
Training Manager
Jesper joined MCL-UK in 2019 as an IRATA level 3 trainer and since January 2020 has been the lead trainer on the IRATA framework. He acquired his full IRATA trainer status in May 2018. Jesper first became involved in rope access in the early 1990s whilst performing high rise building window cleaning in South Africa. He has a background in caving and climbing, and when not training, he likes to pursue new waters for fly fishing. Originally born in Denmark, Jesper has spent most of his life in South Africa, and has settled in the UK since 2019.
Neill Shimmen
Training Supervisor
Neill became an IRATA level one at the age of eighteen and has worked in the UK and internationally as an Industrial abseiler. During this time Neill undertook an apprenticeship on the Cutty Sark Clipper Ship in Greenwich. Neill learnt traditional rigging skills on the Cutty Sark and went on to work on various square rigged sailing ships around the UK and Europe.Neill provided rescue support on a theatrical show at the National Theatre which lead to a ten year career that saw Neill and the National Theatre Rigging Team take on sixteen world class theatrical productions a year!Neill joined MCL as a trainer and operative in January 2021and now trains IRATA, Anchor bolt installation, PFPE, and the Entertainment Rigging Courses.
George Buist
Training Supervisor
George is part of our GWO Training Team, covering the 5 modules required to become a GWO Technician. George is a highly experienced Blade Repair technician, rope access operative and talented climber. George is also one of our First Aid Trainers. We are pleased to have George as one of our instructors as he has such a diverse background within the rope access and climbing arenas.
Hollie Daley
Level 3 Technician / Trainee Trainer
Hollie has been part of the MCL-UK team since the summer of 2018, joining us to complete the complex construction of the new rides at Dreamland in Margate. Since then, Hollie has become a trainee IRATA Trainer and has been a valuable member of the IRATA training staff. Hollie is an experienced rigger and has worked on a range of buildings and structure from the Thames Barrier to museums, and other sites all over the world. Again, we a proud to have someone like Hollie who contributes to the versality of MCL-UK.
Looking for Rope Training courses?
We provide regular Rope Access Training for IRATA levels 1, 2 and 3, as well as training for working at height, in confined and difficult spaces and equipment testing and inspection.
