Imperium Specialist Training
About Us
Put faces to names and find out why our instructors are the best in the business!
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Our Story
Professional Training Programs by Imperium Adventures
Kent-based Imperium Specialist Training (a division of Imperium Adventures) offers comprehensive training solutions tailored for individuals and businesses operating vehicles in challenging environments. With a commitment to excellence, our training programs are designed to meet professional requirements while providing practical skills and knowledge to ensure safety and compliance. Whether you’re navigating remote terrains or preparing for high-risk operations, our expert-led courses are your gateway to competency and confidence. We are located a five-minute drive from Faversham town centre, a twenty-minute drive from Canterbury city centre, and an hour and a half’s drive from central London. We offer easy access via road and train.
Bespoke and Compliant Training
Our programs are designed to align with the specific requirements of your business or activity, ensuring they are fully relevant to your operational needs. Training also complies with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) standards, making it a legal requirement for employers and companies to invest in this vital education.
For outdoor enthusiasts and overland travellers, we offer tailored training to enhance preparedness for off-road adventures. From vehicle handling to recovery techniques, our courses provide peace of mind for journeys into the unknown.
Lantra-Accredited Courses
We are proud to deliver an extensive range of Lantra-accredited training courses, including:
- Off-Road Vehicle Operation (4×4): Master the skills needed for effective and safe off-road driving across various terrains.
- All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs): Choose from sit-astride or sit-in conventional steer courses, tailored to your needs.
- Trailer Towing (On and Off-Road): Gain the expertise to tow safely and confidently in different environments.
- General Winching and Recovery: Learn the theory and practical skills for effective vehicle recovery using winching equipment.
Our Lantra courses are delivered with flexibility, allowing training to take place at your worksite with your equipment or at our dedicated training facility using ours. Each course combines practical, hands-on learning with the necessary theory, ensuring an engaging experience.
Vehicle-Dependent Expedition Training
Our Vehicle-Dependent Expeditions training equips participants with the essential skills to operate safely in remote, adverse, and potentially hostile environments. Tailored for commercial companies, this program focuses on meeting Duty of Care and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) standards. Learn how to manage vehicles effectively in extreme conditions, ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment. This hands-on training prepares teams for real-world scenarios, making it an invaluable resource for businesses with demanding operational requirements.
Defensive Driver Assessment
Our Defensive Driver Assessment program is designed for drivers seeking to elevate their skills to a professional standard. Covering both basic and advanced techniques, this course is grounded in the renowned “System of Car Control.” Participants benefit from an objective evaluation of their driving capabilities, focusing on awareness, risk management, and vehicle control. The training ensures participants are better equipped to handle both routine and unexpected driving challenges, enhancing their safety and efficiency on the road.
Specialist Vehicle Training
For those working in high-risk or off-road conditions, Imperium Adventures provides specialist training in wheeled light and heavy-armoured vehicles. Our programs are specifically designed to prepare individuals for operations in hostile and remote areas. Practical, scenario-based training ensures participants can confidently operate these vehicles while maintaining safety and operational effectiveness.
Expanding Horizons
As part of our mission to support adventurous and outdoor professionals, we are expanding our training portfolio to include courses on brush cutting, hedge trimming, chainsaws, blowers, and first aid. These new offerings are perfect for those working in outdoor and remote environments.
At Imperium Adventures, we deliver more than just training—we provide the skills and confidence to operate effectively, safely, and legally in demanding conditions. Contact us today to discuss your training needs and discover how we can support you or your team.
Our People
Guy Tombs
Training Director
Guy Tombs is a highly experienced professional off-road driving instructor at Imperium Adventures, where he specializes in training individuals and teams to master driving in some of the world‘s most challenging environments. With over 20 years of service in the British Army, Guy’s expertise includes training special forces in off-road driving techniques using 4x4s, specialist vehicles, and quad bikes. His military career, which spanned 25 years, exposed him to a diverse range of terrains and conditions, from remote deserts to hostile, war-torn regions, where vehicle control could mean the difference between success and failure.
After transitioning into the private sector, Guy brought his vast skill set to a new audience, offering professional consultancy and training to a variety of clients, from individuals looking to improve their off-road driving skills to commercial companies needing advanced driver development in remote or harsh environments. He now leads specialized courses at Imperium Adventures, where his in-depth knowledge ensures that participants leave with a superior understanding of vehicle handling, safety protocols, and operational procedures.
Guy’s training goes beyond just teaching drivers how to handle vehicles in difficult terrain. He focuses on defensive driving, risk assessment, and safety procedures, all of which are critical in hostile or unpredictable environments. His military experience provides invaluable insights into how to operate vehicles under pressure, ensuring the safety of both driver and passengers.
Guy’s certification in Lantra courses, such as Off-Road Vehicle Operation, All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) handling, winching, recovery techniques, and trailer towing (both on-road and off-road), demonstrates his commitment to staying at the forefront of industry standards. His training equips drivers not just with the practical skills needed for off-road driving, but also with the confidence and knowledge to manage emergencies, navigate tricky terrain, and make sound decisions under pressure.
Guy Tombs’ approach to instruction is deeply customer-focused, adaptable, and designed to impart ‘Skills for Life.’ His aim is to develop drivers who are not only proficient but also safer and more confident in all kinds of challenging environments, from commercial settings to personal expeditions. His years of global experience, both in military and commercial sectors, make him an invaluable asset to anyone looking to enhance their off-road driving capabilities.
Jim Kirby
Managing Director
Jim Kirby, owner of Imperium Adventures Ltd, brings a lifetime of experience in off-road driving and vehicle handling to his role as a training provider. Growing up on a farm, James was exposed to the demands of navigating challenging terrains from a young age, driving tractors by the time he was just eight. This early start laid the foundation for his now extensive expertise in managing a wide variety of both military and civilian vehicles across rough, demanding landscapes.
As the head of Imperium Adventures, James is dedicated to providing top-notch training in the safe and effective operation of vehicles such as quad bikes, 4x4s, Unimogs, G-Wagens, and even armored tracked fighting vehicles. His diverse experience spans years of off-road driving and training, making him a trusted authority on off-road vehicle control, safety, and recovery techniques. Whether the setting is a remote wilderness or a hostile environment, James equips Imperium Training students with the skills they need to confidently tackle any terrain while prioritizing the safety of both driver and vehicle.
Imperium Adventures Ltd is a Lantra certified training provider, leading courses that offer industry-recognized certifications in critical areas of off-road driving. These include training for 4x4 operation, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), winching, recovery, and trailer towing, both on-road and off-road. Our teaching approach emphasizes practical, real-world experience paired with a deep understanding of vehicle dynamics and safety protocols. This ensures that students not only pass the Lantra certification requirements but also leave with the confidence and competence needed to apply these skills in any scenario.
Under his leadership, Imperium Adventures has become known for delivering high-quality, professional Lantra off-road driver training. James works closely with his team to provide a wide range of Lantra certifications, including courses such as Off-Road Vehicle Operating 4x4, ATV Sit Astride, ATV Sit In Conventional Steer, General Winching and Recovery Theory and Practice, and Trailer Towing, among others.
James’s commitment to excellence and safety is reflected in every course Imperium Training delivers. Students benefit not only from his extensive practical knowledge but also from his passion to equip everyone with the skills required to be the most prepared they can be. With his guidance, they learn to handle vehicles in even the most challenging conditions, gaining valuable skills that can be applied in both personal and professional contexts.
James Kirby’s expertise, combined with his passion for off-road driving and instruction, along with genuine enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the capability of a wide range of Vehicles makes his approach to training a great learning experience. At Imperium Adventures, he continues to inspire and train a wide variety of drivers, from adventure enthusiasts to commercial operators, ensuring they are fully prepared for whatever lies ahead on their off-road journeys.
