Election of the BPA Council 2013 - British Parachute Association

British Parachute Association LtdElection of the BPA Council 2013Paul ApplegateBPA number 15431Apples has been a full and active member of BPA Council for plenty of years now and iskeen to continue to contribute to the work of the Association during the coming year bystanding again for election. He works full-time in the sport as an Advanced Rigger and isincredibly knowledgeable about kit and safety in particular. He has chaired the BPARiggers Committee for many years now and brings his extensive experience and passionfor safe skydiving to any discussion. Apples is not only a Rigger, he is also a veryexperienced skydiver having gained instructors ratings in RAPS, AFF and Tandem whenthey were the latest invention. He has also earned medals at world level in more thanKaren BainBPA number 792925Karen has been a member of the BPA since 2000, has over 2500 jumps, has jumped atseveral dropzones throughout the UK and around the world and has competed in theNationals in both FS and Artistic disciplines. Karen has been a BPA instructor since 2006having her tandem, category system and AFF instructor ratings. She now works full timeat Skydive Hibaldstow. Karen has spent one year on Council, including the CompetitionsCommittee and has taken on the role of discipline rep for the Classics disciplines. She haslearnt a substantial amount during her tenure to date and wishes to continue to build onher contribution in the coming year. Karen doesn’t have all, or even any, of the answers,but is willing to listen to BPA members old and new and to work hard to make a positiveAdrian BondBPA number 883034Adrian has now been in the sport a little over 9 years and has spent 8 of those years onthe BPA Council, being involved on the Communications & Development Committees andis currently Chair of the Communications Committee. His key activity during the year hasbeen to continue to maximise on the opportunity to look at ways of raising the profile ofthe sport through media development , contract negotiation and bring further innovationto the forthcoming AGM.2012 Key notes:• Income from the BPA credit card managed by MBNA has been developed withadditional advertising at no cost to the membership.Information on candidatesIPlease carefully consider the information on candidates before voting.There are sixteen (16) candidates for fifteen (15) seats on the BPA Council 2013. Nominees are listed below in alphabetical order.You may vote for up to 15 candidates.The result of the ballot will be published on the BPA website www.bpa.org.uk on Tuesday 22 January 2013and formally announced at the AGM at the Leicester Marriott Hotel, at 10.30 on Saturday 26 January 2013.This web version of the document does not include candidates’ personal contact details, which are included in the printed copiescirculated to voting members and on the scrutineers' voting website available to voting members.Proposer: Martin Soulsby - BPA no: 146072Seconder: James Swallow - BPA no: 704100Local Drop Zone: WestonMember since: 1973Business activities that may involve sport parachuting and/or BPA: Riggingone discipline (and some awesome stunt work on the side) proving that he isn’t just agrumpy old rigger, but a man with a past (and of course a bright future!). All of this hascontributed to Apples having a passion for sharing his knowledge and skill, encouragingthose newer to the sport and ensuring that safety and enjoyment go togethersuccessfully. As a senior member of the Association, he brings an open, honest and downto earth approach to the table and will add value to any committee he joins. Wetherefore recommend him to you for re-election.Proposer: Weed Stoodley - BPA no: 739437Seconder: Ian Hodgkinson - BPA no: 532872Local Drop Zone: HibaldstowMember since: 2000Business activities that may involve sport parachuting and/or BPA: DZ manager at Skydive Hibaldstowimpact on the BPA, on skydiving and skydivers in the UK and on their standing around theworld. Prior to her current role, Karen has several years of senior management andHuman Resources experience in blue chip Companies prior to starting work full-time inskydiving and hopes to be able to bring some of this experience with her to help her tocontribute strongly to the BPA Council. Karen is keen to help the BPA grow itsmembership and to develop ways to attract and retain new skydivers to the associationand to see the safety record of the BPA continue to improve while maintaining andimproving the efficiency of DZ operation, individual progression and overall enjoyment ofskydiving for all.Proposer: Paul Applegate - BPA no: 15431Seconder: Marc Fletcher - BPA no: 899126Local Drop Zone: Black KnightsMember since: 2003Business activities that may involve sport parachuting and/or BPA: Go Wear T-shirts• Adrian has continued to lead the AGM steering group, having made significant andsuccessful changes to the meeting itself, he has now focused on the evening’sentertainment for the 2013 AGM which will be a development from previous years,along with the all-important discounted bar costs and encourages all to attend.Adrian has continued to give his time and commercial expertise having run severalsuccessful companies to enable the Association to benefit, and if elected again Adrian willcontinue to work on the existing projects started and look for further ways to developfunding for the sport. He has enthusiasm, and is very passionate about skydiving. Weurge you to re-elect Adrian Bond to the 2013 Council.

Kieran BradyBPA number 250089Kieran has been involved with the BPA Council for over 16 years now and has served asVice Chairman and Chair of both Communications and Development. He has a wealth ofknowledge in our sport and is currently the CCI at Strathallan. He has been a member ofthe Insurance Subcommittee for a number of years now and has played an important partin the negotiations that led to the recent reductions in premiums we have experienced inthe past few years. We consider his current work in the flying side of the sport to be vitaland his knowledge in this area helps keep us up to date with the ever-changinglegislation which has great potential to be problematic to our aircraft operators. Kieranhas a good working relationship with our CAA and is confident in this role, which is partof his current position as Chairman of the BPA Pilots’ Committee. Kieran is still an activejumper and has never lost his enthusiasm for jumping, his great passion is for theJackie HarperBPA number 54671Jackie has over 3500 jumps in a wide variety of disciplines and is as passionate aboutskydiving now as when she started 33 years ago. For the last few years she has been anenthusiastic Wingsuit flyer and provides free coaching and load organising events for thegrowing flock at Netheravon. Her interests are (i) promoting safety with policies thatkeep pace with the continual advancement of our sport; (ii) encouraging and supportingcompetitors to achieve even greater success and keep the BPA firmly on the world stage;George McGuinnessBPA number 68638George has over 30 years’ experience within our sport during which he has proved hiscommitment to self-development and the future development of the sport. George isdedicated to developing the skills of others and positively encourages progression.George will be an asset to the BPA Council as he is independently minded and keen onrepresenting a broad range of members’ interests. This will be further enhanced by hisinclusive and balanced approach towards justifiable decision making and acceptance ofPete McLaughlinBPA number 116041Pete has been a BPA Member, CSI and Tandem Instructor for over 20 years and in thattime has been involved in display teams, gear sales, rigging and plenty of instructing atlots of dropzones worldwide. More recently Pete has been responsible for leading a teamof instructors and staff on a busy dropzone. Pete has an easy but professional teachingand leadership style, and always tries to use his experience and huge enthusiasm forskydiving to the benefit of all those on the dropzone, from staff to students. Having beena member of the British Team and attended world championships in CF, Pete is very muchan advocate for the participation in and funding for competition at all levels anddisciplines. Despite this, he appreciates that there are many members who are happy funIan MarshallBPA number 11128Ian has been a BPA member since 1970 - since he was 16 years old. The sport has beenhis lifeblood for over 40 years and in that time he has amassed over 10,000 jumps. He hasbeen National Champion in CF for 20 years and has represented his country seven times atWorld Championships and is a current World Record holder in Canopy Formation. For thelast 20 years Ian has represented us, the membership, on Council. He has never beenProposer: Calum Grant - BPA no: 653378Seconder: Justin Wilmot - BPA no: 1173074Local Drop Zone: StrathallanMember since: 1985Business activities that may involve sport parachuting and/or BPA: Director, Skydive Strathallanstudents and early jumpers - he very much sees them as the future of the sport and isconvinced of the advantages that the young generation of jumpers can bring to us. In2013 he firmly believes that the Association should move further towards more electroniccommunication with its members and without doubt online renewals. Kieran hasidentified that the use of larger aircraft in skydiving is vital for our DZs and ourcompetitors and is keen to remain engaged in his current position to help steer legislativechanges towards our requirements. Most of the vital work Kieran does is unseen andtedious but make no mistake we need people like him to help secure the future we wantand the flexibility in regulations we need! Most recently, Kieran has been involved indiscussions with CAA on new European pilot licensing rules affecting flying for sportparachuting which CAA is bringing into force in the UK.Proposer: John Horne - BPA no: 44139Seconder: Craig Poxon - BPA no: 530023Local Drop Zone: NetheravonMember since: 1979Business activities that may involve sport parachuting: None(iii) supporting progression in both new and existing disciplines as a key retention factor.Jackie has a strong commercial background and a proven track record of successful projectdelivery; skills she would like to bring to the Council to help achieve their goals. If electedshe would be a motivated and dynamic member of Council with a creative approach toproblem solving.Proposer: Alec Flint - BPA no: 814057Seconder: Sara Orton - BPA no: 558915Local Drop Zone: Skydive GB, BridlingtonMember since: 1979Business activities that may involve sport parachuting: Nonecollective responsibility. George has an in-depth understanding of the current regulatoryrequirements of the BPA and CAA and dedicates his experience to ensure that safety isupheld. George understands the responsibility and requirements of undertaking the roleof Council member and is willing to dedicate his time and experience to benefit the futuredevelopment of skydiving.Proposer: John Horne - BPA no: 44139Seconder: Alastair Macartney - BPA no: 596191Local Drop Zone: NetheravonMember since: 1982Business activities that may involve sport parachuting: CSI & Tandem instructorjumping and who would also benefit from development initiatives from the Association.Some of those who need it most are the newly qualified jumpers who are often amongthe 700+ full members we fail to retain every year. This is a great shame as they havedone the hard work by this stage, and Pete is sure that as a community and anAssociation we can reduce the number of these lapsed memberships. Pete is alwaysready to listen and is open-minded and approachable. If elected to serve on Council he iskeen to invest his time and energy into being a proactive and engaged Council memberwhilst understanding that there are often many competing priorities within theAssociation.Proposer: Paul Moore - BPA no: 39691Seconder: Steve Saunders - BPA no: 708515Local Drop Zone: London Parachute schoolMember since: 1970Business activities that may involve sport parachuting and/or BPA: Tandemsafraid to speak up on behalf of us the members, especially those who participate in someof the minority disciplines. He injects his own unique brand of humour and enthusiasminto everything he does, from introducing new blood into the sport by taking tandems, tocoaching on the BPA CF Roadshows. Vote for Ian to enable him to continue his good workon behalf of us, the members.

Paul MooreBPA number 39691Paul has a proven track record having been a BPA Councillor for the last 6 years and alsoheld the post of President of the European Parachute Union for the last 5 years. He is anexperienced and current Instructor/examiner, as well as an active Pilot Examiner. Paulworks full-time in skydiving at Peterlee Parachute Centre near Durham. He maintains aclose interest in several competition disciplines – notably Canopy Piloting, and is thecurrent UK CP Representative to the Competitions Committee. He is also an active FAIjudge in CP and nationally-rated at CP and Accuracy. He has an aspiration to become a FSJohn PageBPA number 320552John ‘Geordie’ Page has been a BPA Member for 26 years. He started parachuting inGermany at RAPA in 1986. An Instructor Examiner, Geordie qualified as an AdvancedInstructor and has been a CCI for 11 out of the last 16 years. Geordie has a vast experiencein skydiving, having worked at several parachute centres both military and civilian, been amember of a full-time display team, and been a member of the British Parachute Team.Proposer: Tom Fletcher - BPA no: 881793Seconder: Jansilla Chirnside - BPA no: 1229271Local Drop Zone: PeterleeMember since: 1977Business activities that may involve sport parachuting and/or BPA: Works at Peterlee Parachute Centre, Co Durham.Judge in the future. He has represented the UK at several World Championships andEuropean events as Team/delegation manager or as a Judge. This has proved to be animportant asset as we move into the realm of European legislation which may affectskydiving. Paul is a willing and hard-working team player who can only be an asset tothe BPA Council and the UK skydiving community. We heartily nominate Paul as a BPACouncillor for the year 2013.Proposer: Brucie Johnson - BPA no: 579603Seconder: Rob Spour - BPA no: 1060705Local Drop Zone: Skydive LondonMember since: 1986Business activities that may involve sport parachuting and/or BPA: NoneWhat you can guarantee about Geordie is that he isn’t there just to make up the numbers- he will speak his mind about a subject he feels passionate about, skydiving. Hisenthusiasm to encourage others is endless and he values others’ opinions but is notscared to share his own.Craig PoxonBPA number 530023Proposer: Darren Atter - BPA no: 518880Seconder: Andy Hughes - BPA no: 903210Local Drop Zone: NLSC ChatterisMember since: 1997Business activities that may involve sport parachuting and/or BPA: Part-time Tandem / Category System / AcceleratedFreefall Instructor and Skydiving VideographerCraig has served on Council for a total of seven years now, including the last five yearsconsecutively, during which time he has chaired the Development Committee, which isresponsible for the strategic progression of the sport. For the past two years he has alsobeen Vice Chairman of the Association and has enjoyed a close and productive workingrelationship with the Chairman. Craig looks forward to building further upon, andcontinuing to apply, his accumulated experience on Council. Whilst he can no longerclaim to be young, he still considers himself one of the more progressive members ofCouncil, and is always trying to improve the Association for the benefit of its members,whilst also balancing the responsibility to the Association as a whole. Being on Counciltakes as much time and effort as one can afford, and it is not always easy but he alwaysaims to do the best that he can. Craig continues to apply his professional experience asan eBusiness information technologist to the needs of the Association. Craig still strivestowards the BPA's perennial, but restated, difficult goal to increase growth and retentionof our membership, and bears this desire in mind when creating policy and makingdecisions. Craig remains a very keen and active jumper, eager to share his experience andknowledge, whilst constantly learning himself. He holds several BPA instructor ratingsand participates in multiple disciplines such as wing-suiting, canopy piloting andformation skydiving from competitive 4-way to international big-way. Craig says “I oftenuse this space to ask people to contact the candidates in order to get a betterunderstanding of the person and their intentions - but nobody has ever contacted mespecifically. Please do.”Steve SaundersBPA number 708515Proposer: Ian Marshall - BPA no: 11128Seconder: Marc Fletcher - BPA no: 899126Local Drop Zone: BKPCMember since: 1977Business activities that may involve sport parachuting and/or BPA: AFF/TandemsSteve has now been an active member of the BPA Council for many years. He has servedas Chairman of the Competitions Committee diligently. Steve has excellentcommunication skills and has proven his leadership, management and problem solvingabilities in the way that he has conducted himself and directed the CompetitionsCommittee during this exceptionally busy year. He has been working industriously withthe Competitions Committee selecting the teams that will be representing the UK andBPA at the World Mondial Championships in Dubai. Steve is hoping that the work thatthe Competitions Committee has put in will provide positive results for us and ourcountry. Steve has worked tirelessly for many years now solving problems andinfluencing opinion for the betterment of the sport, his aspirations for our sport arenothing short of excellence and he strives for this in his work with the CompetitionsCommittee. He has continually striven to ensure that those receiving funding from ourCouncil give their time and skills back to the sport through coaching seminars andworkshops. He himself, being a record holder in CF, has spent many years trawling thecountry providing coaching roadshows at many different Drop Zones. Steve always acts inthe interest of the BPA members and believes vehemently that the Council is there toensure that the MEMBERS get value for money. Anyone who knows Steve knows that heis straightforward. He says what he means and means what he says.Mark SkarrattsBPA number 885883Proposer: Sue Del-Toro - BPA no: 830181Seconder: Gavin McLeod - BPA no: 395473Local Drop Zone: DunkeswellMember since: 2003Business activities that may involve sport parachuting and/or BPA: NoneI am happy to propose Mark Skarratts and this is why you should vote for Mark to be onthe BPA Council for another term. Choosing the right member of Council is so importantin and never more important than for 2013. How do I sum up Mark Skarratts? Someonewho needs to understand the subject matter before casting his vote. Someone who, in2013, is going to work in the best interests of the members. Mark not only takes his roleas the CF representative seriously but works tirelessly holding CF Coaching road shows atvarious DZ around the UK. He is approachable and gets a real buzz watching studentsprogressing in the discipline of Canopy Formation. Through his hard work we have seen alot more new CF jumpers at Competitions during 2012. I have no doubt that Mark will bean asset to our Association, and look forward to see him on Council next year.Sue Del-Toro

Martin SoulsbyBPA number 146072For a second year Martin was fortunate enough to be voted in as Chairman of the BPA, arole he has hugely enjoyed. He has continued his drive to increase existing membershipretention, the focus on medium term strategic goals and for all areas of the BPA to excel.Unfortunately these things are not achieved instantly and as always there are issueswhich need to be dealt with which are distractions. But there has been good progress sofar and Martin would like to continue being able to influence and contribute towardsJames SwallowBPA number 704100James is the well-known and respected owner of Skydive Hibaldstow, one of the largestparachute centres in the UK. He has been around skydiving most of his life and has beenactively involved in skydiving since 1997 accruing over 1000 jumps in all orientations andachieving a CSI instructors rating. He is an experienced DZO with experience of runninglarge skydiving events including the UK Nationals, 28-way competitions and the UK andScandinavian HD record. You may recognize James from the front of the aircraft however,as James has a wealth of flying experience. With over 3000 hours flying, he is an accomplishedcommercial pilot and holds additional ratings such as a Class Rating Instructor,CAA Examiner and BPA Pilot Examiner as well as being the Chief Pilot at SkydiveHibaldstow. Having been involved deeply in the sport for 15 years, James’ knowledge ofThea WestleyBPA number 903918Thea ‘Tigger’ Westley has been a member of the BPA since the age of eighteen when shedid her first static line jump. She has almost 2000 jumps and holds a Category System,Tandem and AFF Instructor rating. She qualified as a tandem instructor when she was 21and for several years was very much in demand as one of the only female instructors inthe country. During university Thea spent her summer holidays working at RAPA(Germany) and subsequently worked for two years as an instructor at Netheravon whereshe won Instructor of the Year. When Thea is not bouncing round the DZ she likes to fly 4-Proposer: Mark Whitehead - BPA no: 403756Seconder: Ian Matthews - BPA no: 145000Local Drop Zone: HibaldstowMember since: 1983Business activities that may involve sport parachuting and/or BPA: Nonethese changes. Looking forward, 2013 will be a critical year for the BPA relationship withthe CAA, EASA and the regulatory framework that we operate within. It is critical that wekeep communicating with all stakeholders and the membership to ensure the long-termfuture of our sport. We ask you once again to vote for Martin as a Council member in2013.Proposer: Martin Soulsby - BPA no: 146072Seconder: Daniel Parker - BPA no: 816756Local Drop Zone: HibaldstowMember since: 1997Business activities that may involve sport parachuting and/or BPA: Director, Target Skysportsskydiving is second to none, being involved with dropzones both in the UK and Spain andhiring aircraft and pilots out to many dropzones all over Europe. James has a wealth ofknowledge on the aviation side or if not he generally will know who has the informationrequired. Aged only 31, James is young and is here to stay so will be giving 100% toensure the best decisions can be made to help secure the future of skydiving and the BPA,and for the BPA to give the best service to its members. Having now been on Council forone year he feels he now understands how Council works and is keen to add more of hisinput next year should he be given the chance. Any questions? As long as it’s not attake-off, James welcomes any discussion. He can be found at Hibaldstow most days ormaybe somewhere closer if he’s flying at a DZ near you!Proposer: Mark Bayada - BPA no: 566391Seconder: Andy Godwin - BPA no: 512163Local Drop Zone: NetheravonMember since: 2004Business activities that may involve sport parachuting and/or BPA: NoneWay, instruct and participate in bigways. Thea promotes the sport at every opportunity;she works as an Air Traffic Controller and enjoys organising trips away for her colleaguesin and out of the UK to introduce them to the skydiving.Thea will bring a fresh and energetic approach to the BPA and will offer a high level offocus and commitment to the Council. She is passionate about the sport and is alwayseager to help out and to provide guidance when needed.The information in this publication, and views expressed, are as provided by the nominees and/or their proposers and seconders.British Parachute Association LtdRegistered office: 5 Wharf Way, Glen Parva, Leicester LE2 9TFTel: 0116 278 5271 Fax: 0116 247 7662e-mail: skydive@bpa.org.uk www.bpa.org.ukAcompanylimitedbyguarantee. RegisteredinLondonno875429VAT registration number 239 4696 20.November 2012