Andrew Venables, CEO and Lead Instructor

Andrew has over 45 years of practical experience in rifle shooting and training yet is still learning something new every day. He started shooting at the age of eight, was an avid shot as a youngster and competed regularly for his school. His love of shooting continued to grow and he now provides training and instruction for all rifle shooting disciplines to private recreational clients, groups, and professional firearms users, as well as consultancy services on a broad range of shooting related issues. Andrew is a qualified Range Conducting Officer (RCO) and is regularly asked to advise on safe range design, construction and use.

While much of the training Andrew provides takes place on the WMS shooting areas in mid Wales, he also enjoys travelling to provide training and consultancy to private and professional clients at their own locations around the UK and overseas.

When he’s not training clients Andrew is busy researching the effectiveness of non-lead ammunition, testing his own rifle-shooting skills, and contributing to talks, films and webinars. Out of the office he enjoys fishing, cycling and working his dogs, Digby the Labrador and Ammo the Jack Russell.

Helena Venables, Commercial Director

Helena, Andrew’s wife and a keen rifle shooter herself, is the first point of contact with WMS clients, puts together shooting days, creates corporate events, and manages WMS special projects and ongoing business development. She also oversees marketing and PR, accounts, compliance/legal and oversees the WMS instructor team.

Before working for WMS, Helena was a member of the editorial team at The Economist Newspaper in London for many years. She now prefers rifles to pens.

When she’s not working Helena is a keen mountain biker and can regularly be found tackling berms and trails locally. She also enjoys photography, horse-riding and exploring the local countryside with Hector and Flynn, her two terriers. Helena is also studying for an Open University degree in Classical Studies (she says this is for fun) and is due to complete this in 2024.

Chris Parkin, Senior Instructor

Chris has been rifle shooting since he was a child. After 10 years away playing with bows and arrows and three years on the GB Archery team, Chris returned to rifle shooting to do what he loves best: making every shot count. As well as being an experienced and knowledgeable rifle shooter Chris is also a respected shooting journalist and regularly writes for many UK and European shooting magazines. He also runs Chris Parkin Shooting Sports, a YouTube channel, that features his rifle, optics and accessory reviews, many of which are filmed here at WMS.

As a WMS instructor and RCO Chris is available to coach clients with their own firearms on one-to-one, two-to-one and group days. He is especially well known for his broad technical knowledge of optics, rifles and ammunition and is a specialist in equipment setup. His competition shooting background gives him a good insight into the psychology of making the shot, especially when under pressure.

Simon Moloney CGC, Project Manager, Instructor & Team Leader

Simon Moloney is a former Household Cavalry Sniper Section Commander who was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC) for his bravery in continuing to fight after being shot in the neck by the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2013. After being shot he continued to engage and suppress the enemy for a further 90 minutes in temperatures in excess of 40 degrees until finally, against his will, he was extracted by helicopter. His actions meant the lives of other members of his unit were saved.

Having instructed previously at British Army Sniper Wings (Brecon and HDPRCC), Simon brings his professional combat soldier and leadership experience to WMS. Everyone looks up to him; not only is he very tall but he inspires awe. A qualified RCO, Simon can be booked to instruct and teach on a bespoke one-to-one, two-to-one or group basis and manages our team of ex-military instructors. He also contributes to development of WMS projects in the UK and overseas.

Josh Gardner, Instructor

Having successfully passed his sniper course early on in his career, Josh went on to teach the next generation at the Household Division and Parachute Regiment Sniper Wing and built a good reputation within the sniping community as a patient and highly knowledgeable instructor. With 10 years in the British Army under his belt, Josh is a veteran of many overseas exercises including in Canada and Kenya and has represented the UK in numerous sniper competitions.

Josh, an RCO, is an enthusiastic and skilled instructor. When he’s not behind a rifle spends his time surfing in Devon as well as competing in an array of endurance events including ultra marathons and Ironman events. Don’t challenge him to a race up any Welsh hills.

James Griffin, Instructor

James is a former Household Cavalry reconnaissance soldier having served overseas as Brigade Reconnaissance Force in two operational theatres. James has deployed as part of a sniper and observation team as an unbadged sharpshooter in the urban environment with his favourite rifle, the AI L96. James was always a great shot however he couldn’t stalk for all the tea in China on his Sniper course, hence no sniper badge. James , a qualified RCO, is also a former qualified JTAC and military helicopter pilot, giving an excellent insight in to meteorological conditions and the whole tactical picture. Don’t ask him to explain how a helicopter works…

Oliver Parsons, Instructor

“Oly” served in a formation reconnaissance unit within the British Army over the Afghanistan campaign. A well renowned physical training instructor, Oly knows what it takes to perform at the top in high pressure environments. Having qualified as a sniper at the Household Division and Parachute Regiment Sniper Division after his first Afghanistan tour, he redeployed to Afghanistan as part of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force- acting on time sensitive intelligence and striking Taliban strongholds via helicopter assaults and other deliberate actions.

Since leaving the army, Oly, a qualified RCO, has settled in South London and pursuits amateur boxing and long distance running in his spare time.

Ollie Read, Instructor

Ollie is a former Sniper Commander who served for 11 years with the Coldstream Guards. He completed three operational tours of Afghanistan as well as numerous training exercises around the world including Brunei, Belize, Kenya and Germany.

Since leaving the Army in 2016 he worked for three years at the British Embassy in Kabul as a Close Protection Officer, providing armed protection for diplomats and the Ambassador.

Ollie’s passions include travel and wildlife conservation and one of his goals is to work with anti-poaching rangers in Africa.

Neil Parks, Instructor and Guide

Neil brings to the WMS team an extensive military background have completed 25 years with the RAF Regiment.

During his time in the forces his main function was in an instructional capacity: his background and one of his core roles was as a qualified Weapons Instructor (WI) conducting weapons training and range firing.

As a qualified RCO Neil has coordinated everything from barrack range work through to full squadron attack ranges, as well as running Electrical Target Ranges (ETR) at up to 800 metres.

Neil mostly assists Andrew run our group training days for clients with their own firearms and for those attending our Sniper Experience Days in Wales. He is also available as a guide at WMS Wales for experienced rifle shooters with their own firearms.

Alan Hollander, Security Officer and Guide

Alan helps WMS by looking after WMS HQ and Gunroom security, especially when Andrew and Helena are away.

A keen and competent shooter himself, with a penchant for rifles with GRS stocks, Alan also provides invaluable assistance to Andrew on many of our shooting days by providing an extra pair of eyes, great spotting ability and a knack for putting our clients at their ease.

Originally from Essex Alan spent many years in the British army, has a great sense of humour and a wealth of practical knowledge on most subjects.

Lachlan Nisbet, Legal Consultant

Lachlan, one of the UK’s best known firearms lawyers, has specialist experience in firearms law and fieldsports.

As WMS’s legal consultant Lachlan keeps the WMS directors updated on changes in firearms law and licensing and can assist WMS clients with advice on firearms certificate (FAC) applications, renewals, variations, certificate conditions and shooting permissions. He can also advise in the case of revocations or refusals.

A Solicitor-Advocate and Partner at Brabners LLP in Liverpool Lachlan frequently acts on behalf of the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and its members, is regularly instructed in firearms appeals and is an experienced advocate in the Magistrates’, Crown, County and Coroners’ courts.