Businesses run to the hills in recession

A HARROGATE-based teambuilding company that uses the Yorkshire landscape to inspire and motivate businesses is marking its first anniversary with an influx of new bookings.

TeamWalking, which is headed by author, TV presenter and hill-walker Mark Reid and mountain leader and personal development trainer Richard Tarran, has seen year-on-year bookings double and a 40% increase in customers.

The company offers team building experiences and corporate activity days that combine personal development with hill-walking and navigation skills, which are then put into practice in the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and Peak District.

Pub walking, night navigation and guided walks are also offered.

Mr Reid said York University, Sanofi Aventis, MARS and Balfour Beatty were just a few of the firm’s new signings.

“The concept has really taken off,” he said.

“In these difficult economic times, many businesses are looking for cost effective, low carbon, UK based activities that really work with long-lasting results.

“Research shows that colleagues who work as a team are more effective, efficient and focused and team building activities can facilitate this result. At TeamWalking we use the power of nature to develop teams in a non competitive way; there are no artificial tasks or gimmicks as the elements, landscape and navigation are the challenge.”

Julie Hollings, regeneration delivery officer for Balfour Beatty Capital, said: “Strong teams are essential for the success of our business and we were pleased with how effective the team building day in the glorious Yorkshire countryside was.

“It was interesting to see how people interacted and how members of the group were inspired by their experience, so much so that people are still talking about it several weeks later.”