BASC’s top honours awarded at The Game Fair

Honorary Vice President

Lieutenant Colonel Sir Anthony Charles Richards KCVO, DL

A BASC member since 1991, Lt Col Richards has been a dedicated supporter of the association, serving as a trusted advisor and maintaining vital links with the Royal Household. With decades of service as equerry to Queen Elizabeth II and Deputy Master of the Household, his guidance has been instrumental in representing BASC’s interests to the monarchy.

Prince Philip Distinguished Service Award

Chris Green 

Passionate wildfowler Chris has been a BASC member for more than 30 years. He has used his outstanding ability to connect with people from all backgrounds and ages to bring shooting to life for the general public through demos, DVDs and media appearances.

Wayne Tuffin 

A gamekeeper for more than 25 years, Wayne brought together a conglomerate of investors to rescue and revive Willo Game. Chris’ efforts transformed the fortunes of the company, driving progress to Willo Game, one of the UK’s leading game meat processors and exporters and employing a team of more than 35 people. His vision and leadership was rewarded when the company won the King’s Award for Enterprise in 2024.

Jose Souto

As one of Britain’s foremost game chefs, Jose has guided hundreds of aspiring chefs in how to prepare and cook game during his tenure as chef-lecturer at Westminster Kingsway College in London. A regular face at The Game Fair and other major shows around the country, Jose has published acclaimed cook books, and is an ardent supporter of BASC’s political and public engagement work.

Peter Catling

A member of Fenland Wildfowlers Association since 1984, Peter’s decades of service include roles 11 years as club chairman, 18 years as inland washes permit officer, in addition to marsh warden. He has been the driving force behind the club’s conservation efforts, and getting hands-on with building duck nesting tubes on club sites and  built duck nesting tubes by hand and championed BASC’s Code of Practice Sustainable Shooting of Wildfowl.

Phil Fairless

A BASC volunteer for more than 15 years, Phil has transformed lives by introducing hundreds of disadvantaged and neurodivergent young people to shooting sports. He has helped individuals build confidence, discover passions and even find careers in the countryside. Phil also organises charity clay shoots and youth-focused countryside events across Northumberland and the North East.

These honourees are united by their commitment to preserving our sporting heritage and ensuring it thrives for generations to come. Through their leadership, compassion, and innovation, they have set standards we can all aspire to.

Ian Grindy

A BASC member for more than 40 years, Ian served as a member of BASC Council for a number of years and was chair of BASC’s gamekeeping committee. During his esteemed career in gamekeeping and estate management, Ian has helped shape national shooting policy as chair of the Gamekeepers’ Advisory Committee. In addition to his role as a Trustee of the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust, he is an author and wildlife management expert, and contributed to Code of Good Shooting Practice and enhanced the public’s education on sustainable land stewardship.

Stanley Duncan Conservation Trophy

Preston and District Wildfowlers Association 

Preston and District Wildfowlers Association (PDWA) has demonstrated exceptional commitment to conservation and nature recovery efforts. Through projects like the Hutton Marsh Wetland Initiative, BASC’s wing survey and duck nest monitoring projects, plus the BASC Wildlife Fund-supported Project Penelope and shelduck monitoring, PDWA has become a leader in promoting sustainable wildfowling, research-driven conservation work.

Honorary Life Membership

Dr Mike Swan

For more than 40 years, Mike has been a leading voice in game management and conservation through his work at the GWCT. A revered and respected author, speaker and practitioner, Mike is a role model for sustainable shooting. He runs his own conservation-focused wild game shoot in Dorset, integrating predator control, habitat management and conservation work. A true countryman, Mike is also a dedicated wildfowler, angler and deerstalker.