A NEW chief executive has been appointed to lead the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). Ian Bell will join the BASC team in February 2018.
Ian, a brigadier in the British Army, will take up his position at BASC at the end of his current deployment as Commander British Forces Germany. He joined the army in 1983 and later commanded 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery.
Ian has a life-long passion for fieldsports and first joined BASC as a Young Shot. He is currently President of the British Forces Germany Game Shooting Association and a long standing member of the Defence Deer Management Organisation.
Ian said: “It is a huge honour and privilege to be appointed chief executive of an organisation which has worked over many, many years to protect and promote shooting. I am passionate about shooting and fieldsports and determined to ensure the association remains at the forefront of the UK’s shooting community.
“BASC’s membership is at record levels because it is fiercely committed to representing the interests of its members. For the future well-being of shooting sports, it is essential that BASC continues to connect with its members and continues to be a vibrant organisation that can deal with all the challenges ahead.”
BASC chairman Peter Glenser said: “We are delighted to have chosen Ian to fill the biggest job in shooting. Throughout a rigorous recruitment process, it was obvious he has a passion for shooting and a clear vision for where he wants to take BASC.
“Shooting is enjoying a golden period of popularity, but there are many challenges in the months and years ahead, not least of which is the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. BASC’s council is confident that, in Ian, it has found an outstanding individual with a huge amount of leadership and strategic experience and the drive to ensure BASC remains the voice of shooting.”