GVI’s Liquidation Leaves UK Students and Conservation Partners Owed Thousands

Global Vision International (GVI), a UK-based operator of overseas conservation placements, entered formal liquidation on 1 July 2026 after advertising trips up to the day before. The company, founded by Andrew Valentine and Brett Akker in 1998, removed its website and announced that all current and future programs were cancelled. Customers were told they would receive formal correspondence detailing the liquidation process and instructions for lodging a claim.

The Independent

Hundreds of school leavers and gap-year participants who had paid up to £10,000 for placements in locations such as Peru, Ghana and South Africa were informed by email that no refunds would be offered. Many had saved for years and given up employment to join the programmes. Payments were largely made by bank transfer, meaning they are not protected by credit-card refund rules or debit-card chargeback schemes. The loss has left participants without a university application deadline or alternative placement.

The Guardian

Conservation sites that relied on GVI for volunteer staffing and funding also face shortfalls. The Kawsay Biological Station in Peru, which hosted more than 60 students on GVI’s behalf in 2026, reported being owed over $56,000 (£42,000). Director Raúl Bello Santa Cruz said the station has received no payment for the year’s work.

The Independent

GVI’s website expressed “incredibly heavy heart” over the closure and pledged staff support for participants departing bases. Valentine acknowledged that, despite periods of “disappointing commercial performance,” the business remained viable until late June, when it could no longer meet its obligations. He added that former staff are voluntarily assisting partners to develop diversified income streams to sustain conservation impact.

The Guardian

• “I’ve missed the deadline to apply for university courses and am too late to find a placement, so I’m left with a year of nothing,” — Clara Denton, former participant

The Guardian

• “I was phoned out of the blue and told I’d get 10% off if I paid the balance that same day,” — Clara Denton

The Guardian

• “We have hosted more than 60 students on behalf of the company this year but have received no payment,” — Raúl Bello Santa Cruz, director, Kawsay Biological Station

The Guardian

• “I do not know what will happen to the funding that has already been paid to the organisation” — unnamed participant (social media)

The Independent

• “Although GVI has had periods of disappointing commercial performance over the years, it has remained viable throughout and – following the advice of insolvency practitioners – continued business as usual up to 30 June, at which point it became clear that the business could no longer meet its obligations,” — Andrew Valentine, co-founder

The Guardian

• “We particularly regret the impact that GVI’s liquidation has had on our programme partners around the world, specifically that GVI ultimately failed to provide them with a reliable income stream.” — Andrew Valentine

The Guardian