It should come as no surprise that a businessman, whose previous work has taken him to some of the most dangerous parts of the globe, has started a company offering every kind of adventure and extreme sport.

A need for a change of lifestyle prompted father-of-three Adrian Simpson to move his family down to the South Hams and set up ExtremeWest, a portal for all types of activity in Devon and Cornwall.

The former paratrooper had previously owned a risk management company, advising multi-national companies on how to protect their companies and personnel from various threats such as terrorism and criminal activities in high-risk areas. With offices in Zaire, Nigeria and Moscow, his work often brought him in direct contact with armed and dangerous people.

"I was working abroad a lot in many high-risk areas of the world and felt that I was ready for change," Adrian said. "Working in risk management means that you always see the flip side. It could be exciting but you are always dealing with problems and I was looking for something with more of an enjoyment factor."

He is now channeling his adventurous spirit into ExtremeWest which he runs with his wife Becky from the family home in Hatch, near Loddiswell. Launched in April this year, the one-stop-shop allows people to get information and book tickets for many of the region's leisure, sporting and adventure facilities.

More than 100 different activities are available from more than 40 suppliers. Although its business is mainly internet-based, the company also offers a telephone enquiry and booking service. "It's great selling these activities. The best thing about it is that I like these presents myself. It's a very good thing when you can get excited about your own products," said Adrian, who has tried many of the activities himself. His own experiences include canoeing down the Zambezi and he's got his eye on joining an expedition across the North Pole.

The ExtremeWest website is split into zones which cover activities that have a common theme. The Air Zone offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to go hot-air ballooning, ride a helicopter, parachuting and try a kite-buggy while Water Zone adventures include yacht sailing, body boarding, surfing and kayaking. The the Motor Zone is devoted to Zap Cat surfing, karting, quad bikes and off-road driving. Hen and stag parties, youngsters and the over 50s are all catered for in individual zones but, for those who can't decide what to give people as a present, ExtremeWest also offers a Let Them Choose voucher, allowing the recipient to choose from 10 activities.

Plans are also in the pipeline to tap into the more lucrative corporate market, team up with the region's accommodation providers to offer overnight packages for visitors to the area and sell gift vouchers through retail outlets.

While the move to the South West has brought new business opportunities, it has also brought new personal experiences for the family who are enjoying a more laid-back way of life.

His three sons, aged eight, six and two, have had no problems settling into their new life in the South Hams – helped not only by their attendance at local schools and the family's involvement with Kingsbridge Rugby Club but also because they can reap the benefits of their parents' new business. "Parents can spend loads on toys which they just don't play with," said Adrian. "For our son Tom's birthday we took him rock-climbing and abseiling. He thought it was great."

As for Adrian, he admits to occasionally missing the buzz of London but says he has no regrets about leaving the South East and loves the South Hams. "I don't think people who have been living here a long time realise just how nice and pleasant everyone is," Adrian says. "What's nice is that there are a lot of very entrepreneurial people living and relocating here. It's quite a cosmopolitan area but there's a lot less pressure. Nobody asks what you do here and yet in the South East it's the second question someone asks when they first meet you. They just want to know how much money you earn."