Gavin Finch – Chief Commercial Officer

As Chief Commercial Officer Gavin is responsible for overseeing marketing and communications, digital and IT, and membership functions, and to provide the foundations for sustainable growth for the BMC, ensuring it is able to continue and grow the work it does on behalf of its members and communities.

Gavin has over 20 years’ experience in marketing and communications and for over 10 years has worked in senior roles leading multi-disciplinary teams within sport, outdoor and non-profit organisations. Specifically within a membership and sport governing body context for British Cycling and Badminton England, for outdoor clothing brand Rohan, and the representative body for the charity sector. Gavin is happiest being active and outdoors and believes in the important role sport and activity plays in our communities and society. 

Dave Turnbull – Head of Access, Conservation & Environmental Sustainability
4 days per week

Dave was a BMC Access & Conservation Officer from 1997-2001, when he became the organisation’s CEO, leading the day-to-day running of the BMC until 2020. Prior to joining the BMC, Dave worked in environmental consultancy. He's a chartered surveyor, with an MSc in Marine Science. Dave is originally from Northumberland but began climbing on Dartmoor and the South West sea cliffs while a student at Plymouth Polytechnic.

Cath Flitcroft – Access & Conservation Officer (Policy)

Doctor Flitcroft is responsible for managing the BMC's relationship with the Government and other countryside and recreational organisations. She is often to be found lobbying hard for the rights of hill walkers, climbers and mountaineers. She leads the BMC on policy and legislation issues affecting the cliff and mountain environment, and is responsible for replying to numerous consultation documents in England and Wales. She was once a champion athlete and has, by her own admission, spent far too much time in the wilderness. Her PhD is about peat bogs.

Tom Carrick – Swyddog Mynediad a Chadwraeth (Cymru) / Access & Conservation Officer (Wales)

Mae Tom yn gyfrifol am waith mynediad a chadwraeth y BMC ar lawr gwlad ledled Cymru. Mae'r gwaith hwn yn amrywiol a bydd yn cynnwys gwaith negodi gyda pherchnogion tir, cytuno ar gyfyngiadau newydd ar adar a bydd hefyd yn ymgymryd â rôl fwy addysgol. Mae Tom wedi gweithio fel hyfforddwr dringo ac awyr agored o'r blaen, a rheoli coetiroedd. Erbyn hyn mae'n mwynhau mynd allan yn y mynyddoeth ar llinellau dringo traddodiadol hir yn bennaf.

Tom is responsible for the BMC’s access and conservation work on the ground across Wales. This work is varied and will involve work negotiating with land owners, agreeing new bird restrictions and will also take on a more educational role. Tom has worked as a climbing and outdoor instructor previously, and woodland management. He now enjoys mostly getting out on long traditional mountain routes.

Jon Fullwood  – Access & Conservation Officer (England)
4 days per week

Eben Muse – Swyddog Polisi ac Ymgyrchoedd (Cymru) / Policy & Campaigns Officer (Wales)

Cafodd Eben ei fagu yn Nyffryn Nantlle, ond mae wedi bod yn sownd yng Nghaerdydd ers 2014 diolch i ddiffyg rhwydwaith drafnidiaeth. Gynt yn rhan o dîm Economi Gylchol Llywodraeth Cymru, mae bellach yn canolbwyntio ar helpu datblygu Polisi Iaith a chynnwys Cymraeg y BMC, a lobïo dros hawliau i fyned i’n bryniau, clogwyni, a mynyddoedd. Ei swydd yw hybu amcanion polisi dringwyr a cherddwyr yng Nghymru yn benodol.

Eben was raised in Dyffryn Nantlle but has been stranded in the South of Wales since 2014 due to lack of internal travel infrastructure. Previously part of the Welsh Government’s Circular Economy Team, he is now focusing on helping develop the BMC’s Welsh Language Policy and content, and lobbying for improved access to our hills, crags, and mountains. His job is to advance the policy goals of climbers and hillwalkers in Wales in particular. 

Lorraine Brown – Head of Performance

Tim Cunnington – Coach Development Manager

Tim is responsible for the development, delivery and on-going improvement of all GB Climbing’s coach training initiatives. He works closely with the rest of GB Climbing to identify any additional training programmes which are needed as part of the coach support to GB Climbing’s Strategy.

Tom Greenall – Head Coach (Olympic)

Tom leads on the continual development, review, refinement, and improvement of GB Climbing’s Performance Matrix, and works with the rest of GB Climbing to develop effective sustainable systems for longitudinal tracking and monitoring of the performance status and progress of athletes throughout the GB Climbing Performance and Talent pathway, with a focus on delivery of aspects of Olympic Competition Climbing - Boulder, Lead & Speed.

Zoe Spriggins – Competitions Programme Manager

Zoe runs all the BMC’s national and international competitions. She has worked in the industry for a good few years now and enjoys nothing better than climbing, crossfit or kiting!

Lucinda Whittaker – Pathway Manager (Talent & Performance)

Lucinda's role is to support talented youngsters along their journey in the climbing world, providing future potential champions a clear route for progression, from grass roots to international success. Ex British Boulder and Lead champ and GB Team member, Lucinda has worked as a coach and teacher for the last 18 years. When time permits, Lucinda enjoys running, yoga, skiing and drinking Yorkshire tea.

For the full GB Climbing staff team including coaches please visit the GB Climbing site

Jon Garside – Head of Sport & Community Development
4 days per week BMC / 1 day a week MTE

Jon leads the delivery of the BMC’s strategic plan across the department's work streams: Clubs, Huts, Volunteers, Youth, Equity, Walls, Indoor Climbers, Technical, Training, Partnerships, Hill Walking, International and Safeguarding.

Climbing, walking and mountaineering have been central to Jon’s life since a teenager, with first ascents in the UK, Bolivia and Central Asia.  Prior to joining the BMC, Jon worked at the National Outdoor Centre Plas y Brenin. Jon retains a link to the world of formal training and qualifications with his time split between the BMC and Mountain Training England. Part of this role there is the planning and delivery of the update workshop programme for their scheme providers.

Cressida Allwood – Partnerships Manager

Cressida's role is to work with key partners to build a fully inclusive, participant-focussed network of opportunities that support the enjoyment of outdoor and adventurous activities by a broad and diverse demographic.

Leading global expeditions for 20+ years Cress loves empowering younger explorers. Having cycled round the world solo, she’ll admit to being a ‘little bit addicted to adventure!’ 

Dan Middleton – Climbing Development Manager
4 days per week

Dan is the in-house gear geek and acts as Secretary for the Technical Committee, who work on equipment standards and provide guidance on the use of safety equipment. He also works on the development of indoor climbing, working with our partners to support the sport. Once an avid trad, alpine and winter climber he is now "a bit nesh" as they say in his adopted Sheffield home, and spends most of his time bouldering and trying to grow strange vegetables on his allotment.

Helen Murphy – Safeguarding Manager

Helen is responsible for all aspects of safeguarding relating to both children and adults along with her colleague Nick.

Helen has worked in safeguarding in sport for over 12 years, firstly within football and more recently with British Gymnastics. Helen is passionate about ensuring everyone has a positive experience when participating in whatever capacity and  recognises the benefits of this i.e. health, well-being and friendships made.

Although not a climber of any even vague description Helen enjoys walking with her dog daily. 

Nick Colton – Safeguarding Officer
3 days per week 

Nick is responsible for International and Safeguarding. He is an enthusiastic climber who has climbed 8a and has left his mark with the Colton/MacIntyre route on the Grandes Jorasses.

Mariella Sullivan – Hill Walking & Volunteers Co-ordinator

Mariella provides support and coordination across hill walking and volunteer programmes at the BMC. She is involved in the development and delivery of the strategies for these areas and works closely with volunteers on the Hill Walking Group, and with the Awards and Honours Panel.  

Jane Thompson – Club Development Manager

Jane is the Club Development Manager. She leads the work to develop the club network by working with BMC affiliated clubs to support them to grow and develop; supporting new clubs to establish; and works with the BMC Clubs' Committee and the BMC Huts Group. Jane has worked in sports development for 25+ years, and is an active member of her local mountaineering club.

Alex West – Diversity & Inclusion Manager

Alex leads and supports the delivery of a range of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) work, crossing a several departments and events within The BMC. Previously working in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion across grassroots football, Alex is passionate about using sport as a tool for social mobility and increasing participation across all people and communities.

Alan Brown – Financial Controller

Perhaps the most high pressure job in the building, but you'd never know it from looking at him. Cool, calm and collected, he gave Daniel Craig a good run for his money at the James Bond auditions. Alan works closely with Kate Anwyl to ensure data compliance.

Yas Prabaharan – Finance Co-ordinator

Alan's trusty sidekick, and responsible for day to day management of receipts and payments, including the petty cash. She has no idea about climbing & mountaineering, but is frighteningly good at hassling people for invoices & remittances!

Kate Anwyl – HR & Office Manager

Kate provides HR and office support to all the staff. She leads on data compliance and health and safety. She's enjoys Pilates, walking and swimming. 

kate@thebmc.co.uk

Suzanne Jones – HR Co-ordinator
3 days per week

Suzanne provides support to the BMC’s HR function and to the BMC CEO, she also supports the Safeguarding team by processing DBS checks, and supports the BMC Local Area volunteers with area meeting admin.

Amina Mirshahi – Office Assistant

Amina provides support in the running of the BMC's Head Office, as well as providing administrative support across the organisation.

Emma Hope – Marketing & Communications Manager
(Currently on Maternity Leave)
4 days per week

Emma is responsible for planning and co-ordinating the delivery of the BMC marketing and communications activity and integrated campaigns. Emma has worked in a range of communications roles across the interlinked agendas of health, the environment and sport - driven by a strong personal passion to inspire people to get active outdoors and a strong belief in the lifechanging impact this can have. In her spare time Emma can be found running, cycling, skiing and walking in the mountains and loves nothing more than discovering far flung places on foot or by bike. 

Gregg Cropper – Marketing & Communications Manager
4 days per week

Gregg is responsible for planning and co-ordinating the delivery of the BMC marketing and communications activity and integrated campaigns. Gregg has worked in a range of roles across multiple sports. In his spare time Gregg can be found running, playing Touch or walking in the hills. 

Pete Burnside – Communications Co-ordinator (Competition & GB Climbing)
4 days per week

Pete is responsible for GB Climbing communications and press relations. Aside from producing reams of impeccable copy, he is also known for being an avid rock climber and a scuba diving instructor, albeit preferably when in tropical seas.

James Parikh – E-commerce Co-ordinator

James is responsible for e-commerce operations across all organisational commercial activities, inclusing the BMC online shop. James has experience of Business Development Management & customer service operations. In his spare time James can be found, skateboarding, climbing, learning to surf or listening to some heavy metal with his daughter.

Katy Shilladay – Digital Marketing Co-ordinator

Katy is responsible for the delivery of BMC marketing communications through our paid media & email channels. A passionate advocate of combating inactivity, she joined the vertical world of the BMC from the horizontal world of Bowls England, bringing experience in delivering marketing campaigns for membership organisations. When not at work, Katy enjoys being out on the water or on her bike in the Peaks!

Emma Travers – Communications & Campaigns Co-ordinator
4 days per week

Emma is responsible for implementing our marketing campaigns, and for our relationship with the media, ambassadors and commercial partners. In her spare time she is always looking for ways to get active outdoors and is always looking for the best view, whether from the top of a mountain peak or a climbing wall.

Amii Wilkes – Social Media & Content Co-ordinator
4 days per week

Amii is responsible for social media and content production across all of the BMC's channels. When Amii is not at the BMC you will find her bouldering either at the local climbing wall or crag.

Alvin Foy – IT & Database Manager

Alvin is responsible for keeping the systems at the BMC running and maintaining the membership database. Whilst outside the office he can normally be found somewhere out in the wilderness.

Omar Aljewari – IT Support Assistant
 

Omar provides technical support, guidance and advice to staff and volunteers across the organisation. When he’s not in the office you will find him either bouldering or at the local gym pumping some iron.

Arun Patel – Membership Manager

Arun oversees the Membership and Insurance Team. He is a black belt master of the Membership Database and almost certainly knows where you live (without even looking it up).

Ben Archer – Membership Administrator (currently seconded to GB Climbing)

Ben is on the Membership Team and uses his recent experience as a student club committee member to manage student clubs and MSO inquiries at the BMC. Ben loves climbing and especially loves going to the pub for a drink and a meal after climbing.

Clonagh Delderfield – Membership Administrator
4 days per week

Clonagh helps with BMC Memberships, Direct Debit Schemes, Clubs and Information. She has recently had a major birthday, but refuses to say which it is. Her colleagues have decided that she doesn't look a day over 29, or maybe 39.

Josh Harris – Membership Administrator

Josh helps with BMC Memberships, Direct Debit Schemes and Insurance and is the first point of contact for many of the BMC's members. He enjoys long distance backpacking, fitness and music.

Jim Krawiecki – Insurance Administrator

Jim works on insurance and relishes high altitude queries.  He enjoys kayaking, mountain biking, hill walking and mountaineering, as long as there's an enormous pie to look forward to at the end of the day.