Testimonials

I have had the privilege of working with Victoria several times over the last few years in her capacity of Special Projects Manager at Walking With The Wounded. We have worked together in Africa, the UK and the US.  What struck me initially was her fierce efficiency and attention to detail, but it is her versatility that has left the greatest impression.  Victoria can work under intense pressure with considerable responsibility and always does so in a calm and effective manner.  I have seen her operate over the course of a week, in the 50c heat in the Sahara Desert, with just a mat to sleep on and no facilities and retain utmost professionalism.  I have seen this same person command a room with her elegance, whilst coordinating a number of high-profile individuals that include Royalty, dignitaries, journalists, and even a US presidential candidate.  I wouldn’t hesitate to turn to her to run any number of challenging projects that required intelligence, diplomacy, efficiency, calm and excellent communication skills.  She is also an individual with incredible stamina and a willingness to perform entirely selflessly if the job requires.

When it comes to undertaking expeditions, the actual climbing, walking or rowing is the easy bit. Regardless of the physical requirement or achievement, the difference between a ‘successful expedition’ and an ‘uncomfortable holiday’ is the organisational wrap around. Working with Vicks and Chase Expeditions has been an eye-opener in terms of just how effectively and efficiently expeditions can be managed from concept to completion and beyond.

It has allowed me to concentrate on the simple element of climbing a big hill, knowing that everything from the website and my wife to the media and my mum are communicated with and looked after whilst I am away. Vicks has been instrumental in helping me secure some of my biggest sponsors and helping me manage those relationships and ensuring that they received the ROI above and beyond what they were expecting.

Vicks is highly effective, yet empathetic when dealing with PR and speaking enquiries – managing both the high paying events and the cheeky freebie requests with the same professionalism. Whilst my trips certainly aren’t the sole expeditions that she manages whilst I’m away – she makes me feel as though mine is. Most of all, as someone who is no stranger to a bit of adventure herself, she ‘gets it’, and there seems to be nothing that she can’t solve or deal with – she’s always my speed-dial number on my satellite phone.

Vicks is a stand-out expedition manager. I have worked as a polar adventurer and guide for over twenty years and the 2013 South Pole Allied Challenge is the biggest and most complex I have been involved in, indeed it is the largest ever ski expedition to the South Pole.

Vicks’ coordinated logistics for 32 participants and her attention to detail was nothing short of extraordinary. Her managerial skills and foresight were instrumental in the success of the expedition. I wouldn’t hesitate recommending Vicks to any adventure or adventurer requiring project management.

I am an International Polar Guide (IPGA) and have led and been involved in expeditions for over 35 years, many involving celebrities and film/TV crews.

The largest, most high profile and complex I have been involved with was The Walking With The Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge. Victoria worked tirelessly to ensure its success, and the expedition would not have succeeded without her.

The complexities of the planning involved her taking charge of logistics, people management, equipment procurement, travel arrangements, sponsorship, budget control, interface with numerous partners, training coordination and many more responsibilities too numerous to mention. All had to be achieved against tight timelines and budgets…Victoria ensured this was achieved.

Such a role also involves a complex balance of inter-personal skills and confidential communications, all of which she delivered with charm and the utmost efficiency. I have never seen any expedition manager perform to such a high standard and with such a conscientious work ethic, I believe that the effort and time Victoria put into execution and planning would have required at least 4 people to produce the same result. How she did it single-handedly is beyond me. The successful outcome of the expedition is largely as a result of her efforts.

I believe she is the best in the business.

I worked with Vicks on the Global Row Project in 2011, which was a pleasure – trying to fund ‘the last great first’ isn’t easy – but we’ll get there. Vicks also helped me with my 2016 Iceland to Scotland kayak. Vicks works tirelessly and brings a new meaning to ‘hard work’ as well as being adaptable to working in difficult circumstances – her diligence, patience and work ethic are second to none – Vicks will be a great asset to any project or expedition.

Vicks’ passion for expeditions and adventures is evident in the lengths she will go to to make them happen, both for herself and others. You need gumption, robustness and ‘sticktoitiveness’ to make expeditions and dreams come alive – you will find Vicks has this in spades.

Thank heavens there are people in the world like you, though there aren’t enough. Without your support I can confidently say Arctic Mission would have collapsed under the strain of insufficient resources. But because you so gamely stepped in, Arctic Mission was able to achieve what it achieved,  and I hope we can build on the foundations of this years work for an exciting future.

Victoria has an extraordinary passion for what she does and an excellent eye for detail. Combine these with her strong work ethic and she has the ability to help any project maximise its potential. 

Victoria’s involvement with the breakthrough Everest Test Expedition in 2009 enabled the expedition to achieve a world first. The next logical step for Victoria is to move on to running her own expeditions, something at which I am sure she will be highly successful.

Just a quick note to say thank you. You have been a true delight to work with over the course of the last three months. This endeavor has been one of the most rewarding long-term engagements that we have completed in my time with Dr. Biden and we will be hard pressed to match it’s impact. I cannot thank you enough for your courtesy, kindness, flexibility, and good humor throughout this entire process.

Rory Brosius, Advisor for Military Families, The Biden Foundation

Thank you for your efforts and your dedication. On behalf of The Endeavour Fund Advisory Board, I wish you and Chase Expeditions the very best of luck and hope that we can work together on projects in the future. You’ve done an absolutely terrific job for us and it has been a delight to have you on the team.