Shooters
Shooters

BASC Council elections and AGM

Nominations for BASC Council elections are now open

Do you have the knowledge, experience and drive required to shape BASC’s future? Regardless of background or length of membership, BASC’s Council needs motivated and capable people. Nominations are now sought for two country seats, one England and one Wales, in the 2026 Council elections.

Prospective Council members must be ready to:

  • develop and own BASC’s strategy
  • hold BASC to account for delivering against the strategy
  • ensure resources and policies align to enable BASC to execute strategy effectively
  • exercise clear challenge, judgement and accept real responsibility
  • make tough but impactful decisions critical to the future of shooting and conservation
  • demonstrate integrity and teamwork

Council members need to be available to attend around eight daytime meetings per year, as well as taking the time to prepare, read and make decisions between meetings. In addition, members may also become involved with other committees. Council members are entitled to claim an attendance allowance of £350 per Council meeting, plus expenses. After serving a year on Council, members may be eligible to assume greater responsibilities, such as membership of the executive & finance committee. Additional commitments, responsibilities and complexity are remunerated accordingly.

Nominations for election must be made formally in writing and submitted to the chief executive by Wednesday 31 December 2025. They must be signed by the candidate, a proposer and a seconder, who must all be members of the association and entitled to vote. To find out more about what is expected of a Council member and to obtain a nomination pack, you can either download the elections pack below or request a copy from Sandra Forkin sandra.forkin@basc.org.uk.

BASC Council elections 2026 pack

Prospective council member – letter from the Chairman
CE001 – Elected Council members – elections information pack
CE002 – Nomination form
CE003 – Application and fitness declaration form
CE004 – Candidate statement
CE005 – Council election policy and procedure
CE006 – BASC Constitution
CE007 – Conflict of interest policy

Annual General Meeting 2026

Motions for debate at the Annual General Meeting on 28 May 2026 must also be submitted in writing to the chief executive and received by Wednesday 31 December 2025. Motions must be signed by a proposer and a seconder, who must both be members of BASC with voting rights. For more details, contact Sandra Forkin as above.

The minutes of the last AGM are available to view here. If you would prefer a hard copy, please send a stamped addressed C5 envelope marked ‘AGM 2025’ to The CEO Office at BASC’s Marford Mill address.

There are _______ candidates standing for ___ national seats.

Voting is now closed

Meet your candidates

National seats

Name

Name

Name

Name

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Ann ShepherdAnn Shepherd

West Yorkshire
Proposed by DG Elgie
Seconded by J Scott

For many years, I have enjoyed clay and game shooting and have more recently developed an interest in deer stalking. I am part of a ladies’ roving syndicate, which began in 2005 after a BASC training day—the rest is history! I have encouraged like-minded ladies to follow their dreams and have organised local clay shoots, which led them to join BASC alongside their families.

Professionally, I was an environmental science and rural studies schoolteacher for ten years. The opportunity to join a special needs school in 1990 initiated my journey in this field of education. I became a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and deputy head. I am experienced in child protection both in and out of school. I am also a regional lead for the Pony Club and an Equestrian Safeguarding Officer, disseminating countrywide online learning. This is of increasing relevance in an organisation that promotes activities for young people.

I have always had a passion for empowering people of all ages, whatever their life experiences and challenges, and encouraging their enjoyment of the countryside. I developed a range of activities in schools nationally, including volunteering at Countryside Live days, rural studies events, and Estate Environmental days. Some of our special educational needs students have attended BASC Young Shots days, where parents and carers were present, and the children loved every minute. Both families and children were challenged, often well outside their comfort zones emotionally, physically, and socially. However, with the sensitive encouragement of BASC staff and reasonable adjustments, anything is possible. As a BASC council member, I will continue to promote inclusivity, which I consider central to the social licence so crucial to our sport’s future.

As a long-term BASC volunteer, I helped set up the BASC chill tent at the Harrogate show – a wonderful opportunity for all ages to share stories of their exploits in shooting and countryside pursuits, celebrating BASC membership while having a cup of Yorkshire tea. Council must encourage and enhance the well-being of our members, listen and respond to their concerns, expand our activities, and increase our membership.

This year, I was delighted to receive the BASC Women in Shooting Award.

As a BASC Council member, I will use my professional leadership role. I have substantial experience in strategic oversight: as assistant/deputy head for 25 years, I was responsible for ensuring that our students’ individual needs were fully supported and protected, and most importantly, that they had a voice. I led joint work with the local authority, NHS, social services, and the police. I was the district commissioner for the Rockwood Pony Club for eight years and am now the club president.

Therefore, I will be able to contribute to and support BASC, particularly in respect of high-level lobbying. I recognize that it is vital to defend the shooting community from the many challenges that come our way.

Robert GoochRobert Gooch

Suffolk
Proposed by A Stephenson
Seconded by G Leeks

I enjoy rough shooting, driven game, wildfowling, pigeon shooting, deer stalking and picking up. I am passionate about making use of all the wild meat harvested in the field, and this led me to start a business processing and marketing game meat in 2000.

My company is a regular participant and occasional winner of BASC’s Eat Game Awards, and if elected, one of my aims would be to help the BASC Council and the executives create a sustainable future for game meat. As an ambassador of the Country Food Trust, my company has helped raise considerable funds to promote game meat, and I hope to assist BASC with its wild food objectives and campaigns.

I am a farmer’s son with degrees in agricultural science, agricultural economics and business management. I spent 13 years as the chief executive of an agricultural trade association, reporting to a council, so I am familiar with the responsibilities of a council member and a non-executive director. If elected, I would empower the executives to deliver on the council’s agreed objectives, providing support and assistance whenever required.

As a BASC member of some 36 years, I have been impressed with the association’s evolution since its WAGBI days. If elected, I would support BASC in continuing to evolve while protecting and enhancing its credibility through the power base of its members, staff and council.

Lydia CastellanoLydia Castellano

Surrey
Proposed by J Abrahams
Seconded by C Dewhurst

I have experienced the success of BASC firsthand, as my love of shooting was first nurtured through my interactions with the association many years ago. I am committed to promoting sustainable shooting and conservation in all areas of my work, where I have a proven record of advocacy and leadership. My experience working in politics, paired with my role as founder of the Women in Westminster Shooting Club, offers a rare combination of political insight, communications expertise and genuine commitment to the countryside and its traditions – qualities that make me an ideal candidate for BASC Council.

My roles working with MPs have made me adept at responding to fast-paced political environments, managing communications strategies and building relationships with cross-party stakeholders. These roles have included strategic decision-making, managing large budgets and briefing on policy affecting conservation, firearms licensing and wider rural affairs. My experience makes me well placed to provide informed and effective input in council meetings, while contributing to the development and delivery of BASC’s strategic objectives.

I founded the Women in Westminster Shooting Club with advice from BASC’s own advocates for women’s shooting. This club has brought over 75 women – many new to the sport – to shooting, educating politicians, policymakers, parliamentarians and journalists about the importance of shooting and the countryside at a time when education is more important than ever. This advocacy ensures that decision-makers are fully informed, and by creating a group with this aim, I demonstrate my commitment to increasing access to, and understanding of, sustainable shooting.

As vice chairman of a political rural forum, I have built strong relationships with stakeholders in parliament and rural organisations, and I advise on policy affecting shooting and the countryside. This experience strengthens my ability to represent BASC’s interests and advance its agenda effectively. I bring a fresh, forward-thinking perspective and a determination to engage younger audiences, including more women, in shooting. I have seen BASC’s success personally, and it is something I sincerely care about. BASC’s work matters deeply to me. I am committed to achieving its strategic outcomes, particularly diversifying membership and making shooting recognised as a leading force for practical conservation – not least within government.

My experience in communications and strategic campaigns would enhance BASC’s public profile and credibility. I have directly supported BASC at The Game Fair and collaborated with BASC Women in Shooting to promote the sport. My knowledge of political and conservation issues, combined with a record of leadership and advocacy, makes me well equipped to help BASC strengthen government support and reinforce its reputation as the leading voice for shooting and conservation.

If elected, I will conduct myself with integrity and an energetic, proactive commitment to BASC’s aims. I will work to ensure that council decisions are forward-thinking, enabling us to take on future challenges while protecting the traditions and values of sustainable shooting.

Carl WoodallCarl Woodall

West Midlands
Proposed by JR Gwinnett
Seconded by A Browne

I have been a member of BASC for almost 38 years. I started work as a YTS trainee with the Forestry Commission, then gamekeeper and after a few years retrained as an arborist, running my own tree surgery business. I joined the police service at 27. I also have a business interest that allows me to run my own pest control business. This is in readiness for the end of my police career.

I have had the honour of previously serving on BASC Council. At times, this is entertaining, difficult and rewarding, as meetings can be long and lively since we don’t all see eye to eye. I truly believe that the decisions made over the past few years will help keep us all shooting into the future. I am fully aware not all members like all of these or agree. During my time on council, I became chair of the stalking committee, which is everything deer and boar related. I enjoy this role, as stalking has become my passion.

I was brought up in the urban West Midlands, and through Scouts and friends, I was introduced to lurchers and ferrets, progressing to air rifles. At 16, I acquired my shotgun certificate and purchased my first shotgun, and then later an FAC and a first rifle. Over time, I have been fortunate to have shot most disciplines and species, from vermin and pests to partridges, pheasants, and by invitation, even grouse, which is still a very clear memory.

Throughout my life, I have prided myself on honesty, fairness and standing up for what is right. I have a proven record of good communication skills. I have shown that I can investigate, research, and analyse information and work to schedules. I firmly believe in the BASC vision, mission and strategy, and I have, and will continue to, work towards these outcomes, as I have previously. However, I do not just sit and nod at council. I question the papers and information provided to us for decision making. There are many who wish to see the end of shooting, field sports and our way of life. I am not afraid of taking the fight to our enemies in person or on social media.

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