Meet the executive team
The executive team are responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation across the eight regional offices.
Ian Bell
Chief executive
Ian joined the BASC team as chief executive in February 2018. A former Brigadier in the British Army, he took up the position at BASC at the end of his final deployment as Commander British Forces Germany. He joined the army in 1983 and later commanded 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery. Ian has a lifelong passion for shooting and the conservation benefit it brings. He first joined BASC as a Young Shot.
Caroline Bedell
Chief operations officer
Caroline holds a degree in rural land management which led her to qualifying as a rural practice chartered surveyor, managing a mixed portfolio of rural estates. In 2001, Caroline joined the CLA as their regional surveyor, progressing to their national public access adviser. In 2006, she took on the position of CLA Midlands regional director. In 2018, Caroline joined BASC to lead the conservation team.
Christopher Graffius
Executive director of communications & public affairs
Christopher has worked in politics, media and PR since 1983. Committed to securing all-party support for shooting and balanced media coverage, he has hunted across Europe and the States, stalked deer in Scotland, fowled in Wales and the north west and enjoys shooting game on a syndicate in the Welsh Marches
Gareth Dockerty
Executive director of shooting and operations
Gareth joined BASC in 2016 as a regional officer in the north-east of England. He was subsequently appointed to a new post as uplands officer, a role close to his heart, having grown up in the North Yorkshire moors. He has recently been appointed as BASC’s deputy executive director of shooting and operations.
Matt Ellis
Executive director of conservation
Matt is a scientist by training with a PhD in pheasant immunology. He joined BASC as a research officer in 2009 and managed the science and research teams before taking on his current role in 2022. Matt is actively involved in many areas of shooting including pest control, driven game and deer management.
Tania Pennill
Director of human resources
Tania is our director of HR and joined BASC in 2017. Tania has a masters in HR and holds executive coaching qualifications. Tania has several years’ experience in senior HR leadership roles across a variety of sectors including higher education, social housing, retailing and business consultancy. Tania has also worked as a project manager, leading change programmes and providing consultancy to private and public sector organisations.
Katharine Donnelly
Director of marketing and membership experience
Katharine joined BASC in 2024 and leads the association’s marketing and membership strategy. Her focus is on enhancing the recruitment, engagement, and retention of BASC’s membership. With extensive experience in customer experience, events, and marketing, she has delivered successful campaigns across a range of sectors. She also holds professional qualifications from the Chartered Management Institute.
Sandra Forkin
Project Integration Manager
Sandra Joined BASC December 2017, working closely with the CEO to ensure the effective and integrated delivery of key projects and activities across the Association to achieve the vision, strategy and objectives.
Working with Executive Directors, Senior Management Team and all employees across the Association to build and develop trust to ensure their effective delivery of BASC-wide initiatives.
Garry Doolan
Deputy director of communications and public affairs
Garry has a background in media and national newspaper journalism and joined BASC in 2016. With a day-to-day focus on external communications and political engagement, Garry helps deliver the good news about sustainable shooting’s benefits to conservation, the economy and well-being. Garry uses his spaniels for beating and picking up across North Wales and also enjoys game shooting and fishing.
Rob Hastie
Deputy director of business management
Rob is a Chartered Accountant with a masters in business administration. He has more than 25 years of finance, strategic and business management experience. For the last 15 years, from has held senior leadership roles within SME businesses across a range of different sectors including legal, financial services, not for profit and local government.
Terry Behan
Deputy director for shooting and operations
A lifelong shooter, Terry grew up as the son of a gamekeeper, learning the value of hard work and hands-on experience. He is passionate about working his springer spaniels and woodpigeon shooting and deer management.
Terry is a chartered surveyor and housing practitioner, he is a member of the charted institute of housing, and the chartered instituted of building. His career expands to property management and development, overseeing procurement, contracts and special projects.
