Restructure statement and update

Posted by Gregg Cropper on 12/07/2023

We are making some necessary and important changes and while we work through the process, we wanted to update our membership, volunteers and supporters. Further updates will be provided.

Below is a joint statement, from CEO Paul Davis, Chair Roger Murray and President Andy Syme.

“Due to the slower than forecast rate of growth of our membership, and as a result of other income being suppressed as we emerge from the pandemic and current external environment, we are reviewing our operational and base costs in order to maintain a sustainable BMC for the future. We have initiated a small restructure process which will ensure that we have the right structure, financially and operationally, to deliver our priorities across all areas moving forward over the coming years.

“It’s important to note that our membership is still growing, but growth is not at the rate that we had projected. We are in the same position as a lot of other similar organisations who have not yet achieved a full bounce back from the impacts Covid amidst the current climate. Our operational budget will need to reflect the income we receive and we need to ensure we have the right staff base moving forwards across all our areas of work, with income for the remainder of the year set to be below forecast we will make proportionate reductions where we can across all areas of the BMC. All departments will be affected, including ACES (Access, Conservation & Environmental Sustainability) as the team has grown faster than income can support, however our commitment to the work ACES delivers remains as strong as ever and we guarantee retaining a higher level of resource than in recent years. We will continue developing our work and support for outdoor and indoor climbers, and raising awareness of our important work within the hill walking community, which we recognise as vital to the future of the BMC.

“Although this process causes uncertainty for everyone involved, we hope there will be a minimal reduction in the number of permanent staff and will be providing all necessary support to those affected. Our staff, volunteers and members are our main concern and we are doing everything in our power to minimise the impact of this decision on our employees, and by extension, on our members and stakeholders. We do not expect this to impact our day-to-delivery and aim to work through the process as swiftly as possible. We want to emphasise that our strategic aims remain unchanged and there is no divergence from them.”

 



« Back

Print this article

This article has been read 167 times

Comments are disabled
Comments are currently on | Turn off comments
12
Anonymous User
12/07/2023
Good to see the now-classic "due to covid" excuse still getting some use!
12/07/2023
This is all a bit of a shock, at the recent AGM (less than a month ago) those present were told to expect a new sponsor and the £90k overspend at Ratho was actually a worthwhile investment. Four weeks later we are seeing a massive cost cutting exercise.
12/07/2023
This is pretty shoddy governance. Surely it was realised well before the AGM that cost cutting (including redundancies) would be necessary. And if so why was this not mentioned at the AGM or included in the reports submitted for the AGM. To hide (by omission) something so important from the membership at the recent AGM smacks of at best, incompetent governance and at worst., purposeful mismanagement.
Anonymous User
12/07/2023
It's disappointing that cuts are needed, but it's worse that the first thing the BMC have chosen to cut is the main thing that a lot of members myself included pay their dues for.
Anonymous User
13/07/2023
The question everyone wants answer is where did the budget over run, by how much, why and who was supposed to be controlling it?
Anonymous User
13/07/2023
Yet another demonstration of BMC incompetence. My membership is due in January 2024, if you want to keep me then you need to get your act in order.

The ONLY reason I pay membership is to support access work so you need to get this team back up to full strength. Stop wasting money on competition climbing, access should take priority and you may find that your membership will fall further if you continue on this path.
Anonymous User
13/07/2023
A lot of moderation going on here! Four out of six comments. Where does one draw the line between moderation and censorship?
Anonymous User
13/07/2023
and they have been under-moderation for the past 7 hours - despite the fact that a couple of later posts have been 'allowed'
Anonymous User
13/07/2023
This comment is awaiting moderation, it will be reviewed
Anonymous User
15/07/2023
I really hope the crisis facing the BMC is not existential. This article gives off a lot more smoke than light. A candid discussion on the purpose, aims and strategy of the BMC is required urgently in order to restore the confidence and support of the rank and file membership. A lot of useful (and some less useful) discussion is taking place on UKC, it would be great to see the BMC engaging more openly in this discussion.
Kevin Stephens
17/07/2023
Incompetence by the Senior Leadership Team combined with an inept Board.

Access and conservation is the number one reason why people join the BMC

Were the Members’ Council nominated Directors asleep when this was happening? And nothing from Andy Syme Chair and members’ champion.
BMC MEMBERSHIP
Join 82,000 BMC members and support British climbing, walking and mountaineering. Membership only £16.97.
Read more »
BMC SHOP
Great range of guidebooks, DVDs, books, calendars and maps.
All with discounts for members.
Read more »
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Get covered with BMC Insurance. Our five policies take you from the beach to Everest.
Read more »