Governance

The British Mountaineering Council is the national representative body that champions the interests of climbers, hill walkers, mountaineers and ski mountaineers in England and Wales. We are also recognised by government as the national governing body for competition climbing. Read on to find out more about who we are, what we do, and how we are run.

Latest organisational updates

News

Have Your Say: 2025 to 2030 BMC Strategy Consultation

Since 1944, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) has championed access and shared vital knowledge for every hill walker, climber, and mountaineer. As we celebrate 80 years of adventure, we now look towards our next chapter and are asking for your support in developing the strategy for 2025-2030.

28 Tach
5 min read

Perfformiad Newyddion

British Mountaineering Council to receive Olympic and Paralympic Investment from UK Sport for LA 2028 Cycle

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) has been awarded £2.775 million by UK Sport to invest in the development of a new Paraclimbing programme and to further enhance the Sport Climbing programme ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

16 Rhag
3 min read

Governance

Members Open Forum: December Update

The final BMC Open Forum webinar of 2024 took place yesterday evening (11 December 2024), hosted by Mary-Ann Ochota. CEO Paul Ratcliffe and President Dominic Oughton shared updates on new and ongoing initiatives, the current financial position, and an update from the Board and Members Council regarding the future of the BMC headquarters building.

12 Rhag
3 min read
05 Maw 2025

Governance

March BMC Open Forum

As part of our ongoing commitment in creating new opportunities for members to keep up to date with BMC news and activities we are running a series of BMC Open Forum sessions.

Our Vision

To create a better future for climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers.

Our Purpose

To represent the interests of climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers and inspire all generations.

Our Values

Community: We are the voice for our diverse community of climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers.

Adventure: We believe in the freedom to challenge ourselves, taking personal responsibility for the risks.

Sustainability: We protect our crags and mountains, campaign for improved access and promote environmental sustainability.

Aspiration: We help people improve their skills, confidence and achieve personal ambitions.

Respect: We celebrate the rich variety of British climbing, hill walking and mountaineering; we build inclusive relationships and respect each other.

Our 2020-2024 Mission

We will link the work of all our staff, volunteers, clubs, and partners, to campaign effectively and increase engagement, becoming a stronger voice for climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers.

How the BMC is run

The BMC is managed by a combination of the Board of Directors, Members' Council, the Finance & Audit Committee and senior staff. The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the strategic direction and operational management. Members' Council is made up of representatives from the BMC Areas, Specialist Committees and members of the Board of Directors, provides an intermediary forum between the Board and the members, and represents the interests of the members to the Board. The Finance & Audit Committee supports the CEO and CFO and advises the Board on financial matters. The CEO is responsible for the day-to-day management of the BMC office.

BMC Board of Directors

The Board is the ultimate decision-making body of the BMC, and is responsible for overall operation of the organisation, as well as setting and implementing organisational strategy in consultation with Members' Council. The Board meets sufficiently regularly to ensure they discharge their duties effectively.  The Board is supported by a number of standard and specialist committees.  Information on the standard committees is set out below.

BMC Members' Council

The Council is comprised of representatives from the BMC Areas, BMC Specialist Committees, organisations which work closely with the BMC and members of the Board. It acts as a representative body of the members, consulting with and constructively challenging the Board, and holding the Board to account on behalf of the members. The Council meets at least four times a year.

BMC Local Areas

The BMC divides England and Wales into ten geographical areas: Cymru North Wales; Cymru South Wales; Lakes; London & SE; Midlands; North East; North West; Peak; South West; Yorkshire. BMC Areas provide a focus for local activities and are instrumental in driving national policy. Each BMC Area holds five meetings a year, and each precedes a meeting of the Council, to enable members to make their views known and be communicated to the Council.

Specialist Committees

The BMC relies on a well-established structure of voluntary committees, supported by staff, to develop and oversee much of the organisation’s technical work for members. We classify our Board committees into two categories 'standard' and 'specialist'. The work of the Specialist Committees covers: Access & Conservation, Safeguarding, Clubs, Equity, Hill Walking, Huts, International Mountaineering, Land Management, Technical Equipment, Training, Youth & Walls

Competition Climbing Performance Group (CCPG)

The CCPG is a Board committee formed of a group of experts who work with, advise and plan the future of GB Climbing. with the responsibility for the strategic and operational oversight of GB Climbing. It also ensures strong management of risk and resources for GB Climbing.

BMC Finance & Audit Committee (FAC)

The FAC is a Board committee which monitors the BMC's financial position regularly on behalf of the Board to ensure that the BMC has appropriate accounting and financial policies and controls in place and that its auditing arrangements are properly coordinated and work effectively.  It also provides reassurance to the Board on the BMC's financial viability and performance in line with budget expectations. The FAC meets four times a year.

BMC Remuneration Committee (RemCom)

RemCom is a Board committee which was established at a Board meeting on 25 November 2020 as a result of the need to recruit a new CEO and bolster the senior management team.  It has responsibility for ensuring that the remuneration policy and practices of the BMC reward fairly and responsibly with a clear link to organisation and individual performance, having regard to statutory and regulatory requirements.  Its members are three directors of the Board, one of whom is the Chair.

BMC Nominations Committee (NomCom)

NomCom is a Board committee which has the responsibility for leading the process for Director appointments and making recommendations to the Board. NomCom meets as and when necessary to ensure effective succession planning for the organisation.  Its members are the three Independent Directors, the Chair, the President and a representative of Members' Council.

BMC Health & Safety Group (HSG)

The HSG is a Board committee.  It consists of various staff members and a number of volunteers with a wealth of experience within the health and safety world. It has responsibility for monitoring and reviewing health and safety practices, risk assessments and improvements to be made to health and safety policies/procedures in relation to the BMC Office and any BMC Events.  It also has authority to raise any health and safety matters with the Board as and when required. The HSG meets twice a year and reports to the Board twice a year.

Pwygllor Cymru – Wales Committee (PC)

The Pwygllor Cymru is a Board committee with the responsibility for addressing issues that are relevant to the BMC’s Welsh members and members who visit Wales and also for developing proposals for future governance arrangements for the BMC’s work in Wales, including in the context of gaining recognition and participating in funding opportunities.

International Strategy Group (ISG)

The ISG is a Board committee established in November 2022. It's role is to ensure that the BMC provides a co-ordinated approach to international representation both in ensuring the BMC is appropriately represented on UIAA, IFSC, ISMF and any other international bodies involved in the BMC's activities. It is comprised of the President and BMC staff or volunteers who have formal roles within the international bodies. The ISG meets at least four times a year aligning with the General Assemblies of the international bodies.

BMC Annual Reports and Annual Accounts

Read our BMC annual reports and annual accounts.

Annual General Meetings (AGM)

The BMC holds an AGM, primarily for the purpose of presenting and adopting annual reports and accounts, appointing auditors and electing members of the Board of Directors.

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