George Woodman is an established marine conservationist and water quality specialist. He has a degree and PhD in physics and uses his expertise to direct much of the technical development side of Teng Hoi’s operations. After being subjected to fish bombing during an Oxford University reef monitoring expedition to Sabah, Malaysia, George pioneered the development of underwater bomb detection systems.

To continue development, George moved to Hong Kong in 1997 as Head of Science at Li Po Chun United World College and Coordinator of the Coral Monitoring group in Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park. Since 2003, George has developed a number of public outreach programs to educate children and adults on marine ecology and water pollution issues. He continues to share his passion for the environment through his active leadership in Teng Hoi’s various projects.

For the first ten years of Simon Wilson’s career he was a marine biologist with a particular focus on coral reefs and their management. During this time collaboration with Dr George Woodman led to the testing of a hydrophone system for the detection of underwater explosions associated with blast fishing. About ten years ago he participated in a hotel development project on an small island in the Maldives which forced him to think seriously about a wide range of sustainability issues such as energy and water production, waste management, the project’s social context and the sustainability of the supply chain. That small island became a metaphor for the sustainability challenges of the planet and led Simon to become fascinated in all aspects of sustainability.

Marine ecology is still an important part of his technical expertise tool kit, but over the last ten years Simon has also been deeply involved in environmental impact assessment and management, sustainable development and ecological conservation and management.

He holds degrees in zoology (BA), coastal zone management (MSc) and coral reef ecology (PhD), and is co-founder and technical director of Five Oceans Environmental Services LLC, an environmental consultancy with offices in Muscat, Dubai and UK.

John was educated in the UK (MA Oxon – Chemistry, PhD Leeds – Radiation Chemistry; PGCE York – Chemistry & Rural Science) and he taught there for about ten years (Repton & Manchester Grammar School). He emigrated to New Zealand in 1987 where he was appointed International Baccalaureate (IB) Coordinator at Kristin School, which became the first IB school in New Zealand.

In 1996 John moved to become Director of Studies at the Li Po Chun UWC of Hong Kong where he stayed until 2008. He now works as an educational advisor, specialising in providing support for schools offering, or intending to offer the IB Diploma programme as well as being Deputy Chief examiner in Chemistry and part of the team developing the new Nature of Science course. This career change has also given him more time to devote to other interests such as environmental education, hence the involvement in Teng Hoi, and increasing educational opportunities for the young people of East Timor.

Alain has been with Teng Hoi since its inception in 2003 and the early discussions with UNEP on detection of fish bombs. He was a member of the British Army, has an extensive background in the finance and insurance industry, and a personal interest in law enforcement and security.

As a keen diver he sees the need for promoting environmental awareness within Hong Kong and the region. He is glad to be able to employ his experience in guiding the development of Teng Hoi.