New business aims to scale the heights

"We want to give people some positive experiences in the midst of all this doom and gloom," he said.

"There's something about spending time away from it all in the wild and beautiful scenery of the UK that really does you good."

Alex's background is in corporate fundraising events, including a spell working for Richard House Hospice in Beckton. The 36-year-old revealed Dreambrokers came about after his business partner Alan Clayton had a disappointing climbing holiday last year.

He said: "Alan went on a climbing trip to Scotland but found the hotel didn't meet his needs, which was really frustrating. We realised, with all our combined experience, that we could offer people something better. Hopefully that's what we've done."

Dreambrokers caters for groups and individuals and aims to take all the hassle out of organising a trip. Their first courses focus on winter skills, something that might come in useful in snowbound London.

The holidays are based at the Inch Hotel on the banks of Loch Ness in Fort Augustus. They encompass a range of activities to suit everybody, including scrambling courses, discovering geological Scotland and even an art course for the more leisurely inclined.

Whatever clients choose to do they are assured of a tailor-made experience underpinned by the founders' determination to make it special.

"We have four key values," said Alex. "Achieve something very special to you; learn something new and fascinating, meet a passionate, charismatic and inspirational expert; and have blooming great fun doing all three of those things."

For Alex it's the culmination of his passion for outdoor life.

"I've been a fully qualified mountain guide for over 10 years so I hope I know what I'm doing by now," he joked.

"But seriously it is important when people go on organised trips into the mountains that they are led by people who have lots of experience. These are dangerous places and people too often go out underprepared for the conditions.

"There's nothing worse than a bad experience on a corporate trip and we aim to make sure everyone who uses Dreambrokers avoids that.

"For example, we have a route up Ben Nevis that's a lot more exciting than the usual tourist one, which is pretty boring and very crowded. Our expeditions go up the north face and along a ridge.

"It's a lot of fun and ideal for someone wanting to take the next step in their climbing experience."

For more information visit dreambrokers.co.uk