The British Mountaineering Council launches ambitious Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan

The action plan emphasises the BMC's commitment to ‘Opening Activities for All’, ensuring that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are inclusive for all, whatever your background, age and ability, for the benefit of health, enjoyment and achievement.

We want to embed inclusion, diversity, and a safe culture across the BMC through engagement, listening, learning together and working collaboratively with the aim by 2023 that we have welcomed a more diverse and inclusive community as we build towards 100,000 members.

The BMC's newly appointed EDI Chair, Darren Johnson, says "I warmly welcome the launch of the BMC’s Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan. This plan is more than just words on a page – it is a statement of our shared commitment and intent to make climbing, hill walking and mountaineering truly open to all.

At the BMC, we believe that what we do and love should be available to everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances. The DIAP provides us with a clear framework against which our actions can be measured, and we invite our members and partners to hold us to account.

But this is not just about the plan itself. Inclusion is part of a much wider, ongoing commitment by everyone at the BMC. We want to ensure that the DIAP reaches all of our members, so over the coming months we will be engaging in conversations, sharing publicity, and opening up spaces for dialogue across our BMC family.

Ultimately, we will not be judged by what we say, but by what we do. The DIAP sets out the path – and together, through our actions, we will make our activities more inclusive, more welcoming, and more reflective of the diverse communities we serve."

BMC President Dominic Oughton says "I was lucky enough to stumble accidentally into the magical world of climbing, and it profoundly changed my life. I am passionate about opening up the same opportunities to all. The BMC’s Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan demonstrates that the organisation shares this ambition, which is a fundamental bedrock to our 2030 Strategy."