BMC share 2025 budget and key priorities for year ahead

As the organisation moves towards building its 2025 – 2030 strategy, it has a strong emphasis on building a strong future for the hill walking, climbing and mountaineering communities, placing access and conservation at its heart.

The past year has been period of transformation for the BMC, with significant steps taken to stabilise finances, rebuild trust, and set a clear direction for the future. Following three years of significant losses, the BMC have now moved into a surplus, closing December 2024 with reserves of £346k – an improvement from £217k in January 2024. This has been achieved through substantial cost-cutting measures.

2025 / 2026 BUDGET CONFIRMED

For 2025/26, the budgets have now been approved by the board and will see investment into hill walking, further access support for the South West Area region and a robust management system of grant funding via separate bank accounts for cost control.

With our prudent approach to our forecasting, we aim to make a minimum surplus of £82k - around £1 per member. With our goal being to have our reserves back at a minimum level of £600k by spring 2027.

For example, the 2025/26 budget will see:

• 9% of the £2.775m UK Sport award will be used to support BMC back-office functions needed to operate the performance programme
• A reduction in the amount that the BMC contributes to the Performance programme equally to £25k per annum compared to around £171.6k in the Paris award
• Funding of a full time Hill Walking Co-ordinator role
• A significant increase for Combined Liability and Personal Accident insurance which now accounts for circa 35% of membership income
• An increase in Employer National Insurance costs of up to £27k
• £150k contingency against any loss of membership or travel insurance income

GOING DIGITIAL | SUMMIT MAGAZINE & BMC MEMBERSHIP CARDS

A significant part of our cost saving measures has meant accelerating our move towards digital-first communications to reduce postage and print costs while maintaining engagement with members. This means that your 2025 edition of Summit Magazine will be coming direct to your inbox with the same great content but accessed directly through our online platform and your membership cards will also become digital from April.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2025

In 2025, we will develop our new 2025–2030 Strategy, which will shape, define, and align our priorities as an organisation over the next five years. This year, we are working to rebalance our priorities, with a continued focus on access and conservation. Key initiatives also include developing a volunteer-led Area Hill Walking Programme, finding new and improved ways to engage with the growing indoor climbing community, and, excitingly, reintroducing a summer climbing meet in North Wales with support from clubs that have huts in the area.

BMC CEO Paul Ratcliffe commented:

“The past year has been about putting the organisation on a stronger footing for the future. Whilst we have made necessary financial adjustments, our commitment to supporting climbers, hill walkers, and mountaineers remains at the heart of everything we do.

“There is much to look forward to and build on in 2025 - from the festivals we are supporting to the competitions we are hosting, through to the Get Stuck In volunteering events we are continuing to run”

The BMC will continue to provide transparency on financial decisions throughout the year and remains committed to engaging with members as it moves forward with it 2025 - 2030 strategic plan.