A New Chapter for Plas y Brenin
It’s with real pleasure that we share the news that Sport England has confirmed a five-year commitment for us to continue running Plas y Brenin as the National Outdoor Centre on behalf of the outdoor sector.
This is a big moment for us — not just in securing the future of the centre, but in reinforcing the role we play in helping more people access and progress in the outdoors.
Just as importantly, Sport England has supported this with an investment programme into our facilities, activities and environment. As a centre based within a listed building, that support really matters. It means we can keep improving what we offer while looking after a place that’s unique and steeped in history, and ensuring it remains fit for the future.
Together, this commitment and investment give us a strong platform for what comes next.
We care deeply about the role Plas y Brenin plays in the outdoor community. Our focus is simple: delivering high-quality experiences for everyone — whether it’s someone taking their first steps outside or coming back to build on years of experience.
To help drive this forward, we’re delighted to welcome Sam Mason as our new CEO. Sam joins us full-time and locally based, bringing a people-first leadership style and a strong track record of building sustainable services and high-performing teams. His connection to the outdoors runs deep — he’s been walking, climbing, skiing and biking since childhood, and still spends most of his free time in the mountains of North Wales and the Lake District.
His career brings together outdoor culture, heritage venues, visitor experience and partnerships. From leading Kendal Mountain Festival to his work at Brockhole on Windermere, Sam’s focused on creating accessible, meaningful outdoor experiences. He also brings valuable experience in fundraising and partnerships, working with organisations like Wanderlust Women, The Great North Swim and Wheels for All.
Alongside Sam, we’re also really pleased to welcome Paul Warnock as our new Director of Outdoor Training & Education. Paul is a British Mountain Guide and brings over 15 years’ experience across instruction, leadership and programme development. A former Senior Instructor here at Plas y Brenin, he’s worked at Course Director level on the MCI programme and contributed to the development of British Cycling’s mountain bike leadership pathway.
In addition to his technical expertise, Paul is also an MSc-qualified counsellor and psychotherapist, using the outdoors to support resilience, reflection and wellbeing. This combination will play an important role as we continue to grow both our training offer and our work in outdoor health and wellbeing.
With this renewed commitment and investment, we’re excited for what comes next.
