Cliff Nelson

Managing Director @Atlantic Crest Ltd

Cardiff, GB

At Atlantic Crest Ltd, we define water safety. Our team of experts specialises in water safety management, first aid training, and aquatic event support, working across private, public, and third sectors.We provide consultancy in water risk assessment, policy and legal advice, equipment procurement, and accredited training. Our first aid division delivers workplace, emergency, and paediatric first aid courses.As Acting Lead Consultant for the Royal Life Saving Society UK, I support national water safety strategy and training. A key achievement was developing the National Water Safety Management Programme (NWSMP), a flexible, modular training scheme now considered industry standard. It’s endorsed by the HSE, Royal Geographical Society, Institute of Outdoor Learning, and others.Other highlights- Lead consultant on RNLI’s Coastal Swimming and Waterside Activity Site Assessment Standard- Founder of a specialist consultancy providing water safety audits, training, and expert reports- Commissioned by National Trust, RSPB, Center Parcs, local authorities and others to assess beaches, reservoirs, and adventure parks- Developed the Aquatic Safety Qualification (IOL-accredited) and AquaSmart Schools programme, both widely used in UK education.Expert Witness Work- Provided court-compliant reports and testimony in drowning and near-drowning cases- Expertise in compliance, signage, and lifeguard provision- Recently led coastal drowning reviews focusing on control failures and public safety information.Professional Affiliations- Member, National Water Safety Forum- Chair, Whitmore Bay Surf Life Saving Club- Advisor, Swim Wales – Water Safety- Member, Wales National Water Safety Forum- Former Secretariat, National Beach Safety Council- Former Board Member, RNLI International Lifeguarding Programme- Former Vice Chair (Europe), ILS Rescue Commission- Former Advisor, British Triathlon and Swim Wales – Water Safety

University of Portsmouth

Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), Engineering Systems

University of Wales, Cardiff

Master of Science (M.Sc.), Coastal and Marine Resource Management

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Coastal Science