Chair of the BMC Board of Directors

This is an exciting opportunity to be involved with leading the BMC, using your skills and expertise in delivering the organisation’s strategy and governance. The role will appeal to those who recognise the well-being benefits of active participation in outdoor activities, and who share our care and concern for the natural environment. 

The role provides an opportunity to gain satisfaction from contributing to decision-making and scrutiny at a time when the BMC is seeking to grow its membership and enhance its services, whilst championing the environment in the context of increased outdoor participation. The successful candidate will also join at a time of increased focus following Olympic success and planned Paralympic participation. 

The Board aspires to be both diverse and inclusive; encompassing a wide range of perspectives, approaches and experiences, which we believe are essential to driving further innovation, challenge and creativity within our sporting environment – mountain, crag and indoor. In line with this ethos, we are keen to achieve a more representative Board. We encourage applications from the widest range of backgrounds, particularly where there is often under-representation. We are committed to recruiting a Board that is representative of society. 

The new Chair will be expected to provide leadership of the Board and focus on strategic matters overseeing the BMC’s activities and setting high governance standards.  

The successful candidate will have a varied role that encompasses the below:

• Chairing the Board of Directors
• Developing BMC strategy in conjunction with Board, Member’s Council & Leadership Team   
• Setting and promoting the cultural tone and behavioural standards of the organisation
• Facilitating Board and other meetings as required and managing group dynamics
• Guiding discussions, ensuring teamwork, effective decision-making, and conflict resolution
• Ensuring that the BMC meets regulatory and legislative requirements
• Driving the BMC to meet Tier 3 compliance with the “Code for Sport Governance”
• Promoting continuous organisational and operational improvement   
• Ensuring timely senior appointments are made to committees, trusts & partner organisations
• Providing a sounding board and mentor for the CEO
• Attending all meetings of the board’s Nominations Committee & Remuneration Committee

Involvement in Sector & Sport Leadership:

• Building relationships with the Chairs of all of the BMC’s Funded Partners (Mountain Training UK&I, Mountain Training England, Association of British Climbing walls (ABC) and National Indoor Climbing Awards Scheme (NICAS))
• Working with the Chairs and CEOs in order to ensure that the Sector as a whole works together and secures funding for its work from Sport England and UK Sport
• At Chair level work and align with the BMC Charities – Access and Conservation Trust (ACT) and Land and Property Trust (LPT)
• Joining the UK Sport Chairs group and supporting the major programme of elite sport becoming more efficient and relevant
• Supporting the BMC CEO and the Performance team with their applications for funding from UK Sport and Sport England and associated delivery.

Working with Members’ Council:

• Building consensus with Members’ Council and the President in order to ensure the smooth running of the organisation as whole
• As necessary, presenting Board activity to Members’ Council