BMC appoint Paul Ratcliffe as new CEO
- Saturday 23rd December 2023
Following what they described as a thorough recruitment process, the BMC has appointed Paul Ratcliffe as the new CEO.
Paul will take over the reins after the former CEO Paul Davis resigned from the position in September of this year having had a four-year stint in charge at the BMC.
Paul, a Mancunian and a two-time former Olympian has previously held the position of performance director for British Canoeing as well as a Non-Executive Board Director role at Surfing England. Latterly, Paul has been Chair of GB Climbing Competition Climbing Performance Group (CCPG). Paul Radcliffe has also held a commercial position within energy trading at Onyx Commodities.
As well as having over 30 years’ experience within elite sport, Paul describes himself as having ‘a lifelong passion for climbing mountains – whether climbing the Matterhorn, or the Cuillin Ridge.’
Commenting on his appointment as CEO Paul said:
“I feel honoured and privileged to be appointed CEO of the BMC and I would like to thank Roger Murray (Chair) and the Board for giving me this exciting opportunity”.
“45 years ago, I left a muddy campsite in Buttermere, and my dad guided me through the mist to climb my first mountain, Fleetwith Pike. That day inspired in me a lifelong love of adventure and instilled strong values of dedication, determination and perseverance. I now intend to lead this wonderful organisation with those same core values and with my philosophy of putting members right at the heart of the BMC.”
"As we move into our 80th year, I’m excited to begin working with the staff, partners, volunteers, and all stakeholders, to gain a deeper appreciation of the current challenges and opportunities and to understand what better looks like for each of you."
Roger Murray, the BMC Chair, congratulated Paul on his appointment saying:
“On behalf of the BMC Board, I’d like to extend a big welcome to Paul, who already knows the BMC through his lifelong love of the mountains and his work chairing the Competition Climbing Performance Group (CCPG).
He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from both his personal journey in elite sport and the expertise and skills that he has developed within the world of finance and trading. In addition to ensuring we move through 2024 on a secure and sustainable financial footing, one of the priorities for Paul will be to build the roadmap to develop and then implement the strategy for the period through to 2030 - I know this will be a significant consultative process with Board, staff, volunteers, members, partners and participants - and all of his past experience will be invaluable in that important programme of work.
Paul is joining an organisation with Directors, Staff and Volunteers with a wealth of experience who are passionate about our activities and sports, I am sure I speak for everyone when I say that we look forward to working with and supporting Paul and his team over the next few, important years and beyond.”
Paul will take up his new role at the BMC in February 2024.