Inspiring personal growth through physical and mental challenges for a fitter, healthier, and more inclusive community.
Development through Challenge is a charity based in the heart of Tower Hamlets, committed to inspiring personal growth through physical and mental challenges. We offer accessible, community-driven programmes that promote health, wellbeing, and personal development - whether that’s through indoor climbing, affordable wellbeing facilities like our saunas, or partnerships that create new opportunities for people facing barriers to participation. From children and young people, to older adults, disabled people, LGBTQ+ communities, and those new to physical activity, we work alongside a broad and diverse community to deliver challenge-based experiences that build resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Our main project, Mile End Climbing Wall, is one of the UK’s longest-established climbing centres and the core space through which we deliver most of our charitable work. While climbing is at the heart of what we do, our wider purpose is to support people of all backgrounds and life stages to get active, feel better, and connect with others in inclusive, welcoming environments.
Every penny we generate is reinvested to grow our impact; expanding access to healthy recreation, supporting the development and diversity of the climbing community, and helping people gain life-skills and confidence to thrive.
Dean is the CEO of Development Through Challenge, the charity that operates Mile End Climbing Wall, one of the UK’s first dedicated indoor climbing centres.
Having spent over 30 years in the charity sector working with young people in East London, his work alongside the vibrant, diverse communities of Tower Hamlets developed existing strong views around the need for inclusivity and diversity within all aspects of society and the need for an active stance against discrimination in all forms. He hopes that his passion for pursuing an active EDI agenda will help provide a more diverse and inclusive sector and help remove barriers to participation for those outside the sport.
He has been a climber and climbing coach for 25+ years and is proud to lead such an amazing team at DtC and Mile End Climbing Wall.
Profile
I'm an entrepreneur, investor and strategist with a background on both private and listed boards. I invest in people-related technology businesses, including recruitment brands like Snap.hr, Sonic Jobs, Juggle.jobs; Qdooz (a continuing professional development app), and TalkLife (an online peer to peer support network for mental health). I also chair the boards of established businesses in the Corporate Finance and Recycling sectors When I'm not working I'm interested in participating in things involving speed and endurance. Activities include high altitude hiking, long distance motorcycling and backcountry skiing - everywhere from the Rockies to Japan. I keep fit by mountain biking and indoor rowing where I'm currently on a mission to break into the UK's 50 fastest middle-distance indoor rowers in my age group. I've never tried climbing but it's now on the list!
Why did you become a trustee?
I wholeheartedly subscribe to the idea that we develop through challenge and joining a sporting-based charity that benefits the community in inner London where I might be able to help was a no-brainer.
What is your personal vision for the future of DtC?
I see Mile End not only as one of London's top climbing facilities - for both serious and recreational climbers - but also as the climbing wall that does most for the community - making a real positive, lasting impact on people.
Profile
I grew up in a small village in Valle d'Aosta (Italy) and started climbing when I was a child. I have been part of the local climbing community for a long time and I have always been amazed about how open and inclusive climbing is as a sport as well as the mental health benefits that I gained through it. I had a major climbing accident in 2002 and although I got away with it without major consequences, it took me a long time to start again and I could have never done it without the support of other fellow climbers.
When I moved to the UK in 2005, despite having lost easy access to the northern Italian alpine crags, I was amazed to find out that London offers excellent indoors climbing facilities as I had never seen before. I have also met fantastic people who are truly passionate about climbing and I must admit that my "urbanised" life would have not been the same without them.
Why did you become a trustee?
I am an architect with over 15 years of experience in the construction industry. Since 2013, I have been planning and delivering large capital projects working on the client side for arts & culture and educational institutions and the public sector. When I saw that DtC was looking for new trustees with experience in Construction, Project Management and Governance, I thought that this would be a wonderful opportunity to get involved in a charity that supports something very close to my heart and where my professional skills could make a difference.
What is your personal vision for the future of DtC?
I thoroughly subscribe to the DtC charitable objectives and I genuinely believe that climbing, and sport in general, offer incredible benefits both in terms of fitness and mental health. I am keen to seeing MECW develop further as a centre of excellence for climbing, while maintaining the ethos of offering good value climbing for all.
Profile
I’m a technology investor and my career has been largely spent in the Finance sector. I’ve served on numerous boards, helping to define strategy, raise funding and grow small businesses. I am a long-term resident of the area and have seen how it has changed, dramatically, over the years and I believe in the collective strength the community can show, when encouraged and given space to do so. When I’m not assessing business ideas for disruptive new technology, I’m likely to be found working on my EV conversion project and lobbying my local council for more charging points. When travel is once again permitted I intend to return to the mountains to hike, ski and cycle.
Why did you become a trustee?
As a climber and a local, I can see first hand how valuable a resource the Wall is, both to the immediate community and those who travel further to use it. I wanted to help in any way I could to ensure that the Mile End Wall grows and thrives, for the benefit of all.
What is your personal vision for the future of DtC?
DtC is in a unique position to use its charitable status to bring climbing to those who many not ordinarily consider it as something ‘for them’. I want DtC to expand its reach into our wider community and deliver the benefits it can bring to both mental and physical wellbeing.
Profile
I am an experienced fundraiser with neurodiversity and a strong passion for diversity and climbing. I have worked in fundraising for 7 years, working from small organisations that work with people with experience of homelessness, equity and poverty (Cardboard Citizens) to my new role at the internationally recognised Red Cross. My background is raising significant income via trusts and foundations towards project based work that supports individuals to grow wellbeing and confidence through activities.
Why did you become a trustee?
I strongly believe everyone regardless of background should have access to activities, such as climbing, that enable them to grow confidence, self esteem and improve wellbeing. I believe that DTC offers the opportunity for many who otherwise couldn't afford to participate in, and benefit from climbing.
What is your personal vision for the future of DtC?
I recognise the importance of growing a community of support, and see opportunities to how DTC can grow, enabling them to reach and support more people from diverse backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of London.
Profile
I have tweaked my career a few times in the last 15 years, starting as an accountant, moving on to an investment bank and now working in Finance for a tech company.
A recurring shoulder injury means I am one of the non-climbing Board of Trustees, but I have a passion for a range of other sports including Running and Cycling.
Why did you become a trustee?
I love sport and feel strongly about the mental benefits that come with physical exertion. I also believe in inclusivity and diversity and think that the work which DTC does and the facilities offered are a great example of this. In my day job I focus on numbers, financials and profits, I think its nice being able to translate some of this corporate approach into the charitable sector to help ensure a strong organisation both now and into the future.
What is your personal vision for the future of DtC?
That it continues to provide the diverse local community with the opportunity to undertake exercise, be part of something and enjoy the mental benefits of this. DTC have done a great deal already, and I hope through our stewardship we are able to extend the opportunities to more people whilst maintaining such a high-quality facility.
Profile
I’m a management consultant and work with clients in government and the wider public sector, and before that worked as a civil servant. I also served as chair at the local mental health charity, Mind in Tower Hamlets and Newham and am a trustee at Revolving Doors Agency, a criminal justice and lived experience charity.
It’s been almost ten years since I first climbed at Mile End. I still love the welcoming, community atmosphere and sense of belonging that comes with climbing here. It’s been great to see the investment in developing and improving the site, the space, and the setting so the London community can benefit.
Why did you become a trustee?
Having moved back to east London I wanted to get more involved in the local community, and hoped that applying my trustee and business experience would be useful. And no harm in having another excuse to be at the wall!
What is your personal vision for the future of DtC?
First of all, to continue to offer a fantastic asset to the climbing community. Then to broaden out access and awareness so a wider and more diverse community know they can be part of what we do.
And meanwhile we’ve lots to celebrate. So I think there’s work to do to help climbers and others understand what we’re about as a charity and not “just” a place to climb: how they can get involved, contribute and benefit.
Beyond that, we should think about how we partner with other organisations. Not just the schools and community groups who can (and already do) benefit from working with DtC, but also health, wellbeing and care services. And even other climbing walls who might be set up commercially but want to contribute to our charitable aims rather than compete.
Profile
I’ve worked in the civil service for over 18 years, and have enjoyed working across health, transport, tax and consumer rights. Most of my civil service career has been spent in a variety of government communications roles. I’ve recently moved out of communications into an operational role for the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, covering estates, staff and hearing locations and business continuity.
Why did you become a trustee?
I’ve lived in East London for over ten years, always fairly locally to the wall, but only started climbing here in 2022. Both of my children climb as well and we’ve fallen in love with climbing. The environment, culture and vibe at the wall is instantly welcoming, friendly and helpful – the people, both staff and other users all behave like a community. This sense of connection and community led me to want to become more involved.
What is your personal vision for the future of DtC?
I’m really excited to bring my comms and wider experience to support and build DTC and the wall. I want to work with the trustees and staff to help strengthen what the wall already does brilliantly, to improve and develop all aspects of the wall and the charity and to share it with others in a way that is as accessible and inclusive as possible.