The Business
While there are a plethora of companies offering sightseeing tours for those visiting the Capital, few offer this unique blend of adventure. What started as a hobby, today under its new ownership, sees a more commercial approach. With a background in marketing and sales and nearly two decades as a CEO, Malcolm Ball plans to harness today’s savvy social media tourists to embrace this alternative sightseeing experience.
In other words “Feel the culture, touch the history, unearth these covert clues, crack the brainteasers all whilst enjoying the ambience of this city. Together with a small group of friends, likeminded explorers and tourists can create a game or take a more studious approach – the choice is yours!’’
Follow the clues questions and directions on your smartphone – or if you are little more old school print off the PDF version before starting your adventure.
NEW to Beyond the Map London and in addition to its walks, will be the introduction of Speakeasy Bars. Using the same covert clues and using your skills to decipher codes you can discover these 1920’s Prohibition themed bars – hidden from most but discoverable by you – if you follow the clues.
Malcolm Ball
Me… As a long standing friend to Rob and Ginny, and having experienced these Walks, both as part of a small group of friends and then the larger group, I recognised what a fabulous alternative this experience could be to that of a traditional sightseeing tour in and around the Capital.
“I believe that my marketing and sales experience as CEO of Vinopolis (the award winning wine attraction near London Bridge), seeing the need to take this business down a more commercial route, was too great an opportunity to miss. What’s more the addition of a Speakeasy Tour would see an exciting alternative to wine tasting under the London Bridge railway arches!’’
Ginny Stevens
She… A partner at one of the big 4, Ginny Stevens spent her entire career at KPMG building up remarkable financial skills and client management flair. Operating at the very highest level in the consumer services sector has taught her to view things strategically and long term. Beyond The Map relies on these competencies for its commercial footing. But Ginny will always be quick to point out that she is a major contributor to the creative and artistic aspect of the venture.
Rob Willis
He… Until 2016 Rob Willis was Chairman of W2 a food and drink sector head-hunter. The booming London restaurant scene was his domain. The Ivy, Bills, 5 Guys and Cote were amongst the brands he worked alongside. And his time developing a food court at Old Spitalfields Market took him to the cutting edge of the Capital’s exciting street food phenomenon. Beyond The Map counts on his passionate awareness of the City’s tastes and flavours. Oddly though he is not shy of getting involved with the less thrilling elements of running a business; he loves spreadsheets.
These guys are the founders, financiers and driving force behind Beyond The Map. 15 years earlier they began organising hidden clues walks for friends using their London knowledge and passion to adventure away from the ubiquitous, umbrella led tourist trail. From a group of 12 friends in 2002 to a cluster of 120 in 2016. 2020 was the time to turn a highly developed hobby into a commercial enterprise.