BSAC Council

BSAC's Council members are a group of experienced divers with a passion for the sport and for helping their members get the most from their diving and snorkelling experiences. If you are interested in getting involved visit the Get into governance section.
Chair - Andy Shenstone Andy has extensive experience of leading member-based organisations and in his professional life is the CEO of NEBOSH, a charity that provides health, safety and environmental qualifications. Andy is an Advanced Diver and OWI in Vale Royal SAC based in Winsford, Cheshire where he’s also the Diving Officer and club treasurer. He dives in the UK throughout the year and leads club expeditions both in the UK and overseas most recently to Croatia. "Diving is my passion and being Chair of Council allows me to use my professional skills to support our sport’s continued development and success in the interests of all members."
Vice-Chair - Yasmine Thorn Yasmine has been a committee member of her local branch for four years and has previously supported many large-scale public engagement projects. Yasmine works in HR and recruitment and is passionate about ensuring compliance with legislation as well as inclusivity. As a young woman in diving, of mixed heritage, with a disability, Yasmine is keen to explore existing barriers to the sport for people of all backgrounds and attempt to break those down.
National Diving Officer - Sophie Rennie Sophie has amassed nearly 3,000 dives in UK waters and all over the world and has an interest in anything underwater but especially the big stuff such as whale sharks, mantas and turtles. She says taking up the post of NDO is a real honour and she will give it her best shot as a dedicated BSAC member and volunteer. For Sophie, this appointment is the culmination of several jobs including SW Regional coach, OWI chief instructor, diver training lead and head of snorkelling. Email Sophie
Honorary Treasurer - Richard Pettifer Richard is a Chartered Accountant and has spent many years working for large accountancy firms and financial services companies until his retirement at the end of 2023. He started diving in 2006, at first mostly undertaking holiday diving but after a while he wanted to develop his diving further and so he joined BSAC, London no.1 branch in 2021, where he is now Branch Chair. He is a Dive Leader working towards Open Water Instructor, and in his spare time enjoys sailing, mostly involved in offshore yachting.
Honorary Secretary - Emma James Emma learned to dive in 2013 and joined BSAC through Chelsea & Fulham SAC in 2022, where she discovered the challenges and beauty of British diving. Emma believes that recreational divers are ideally positioned to lend a hand and voice to protecting the underwater world and marine environment in the UK and around the world. Aside from diving, Emma is an international publishing consultant, having formerly worked at a senior level for global book publishing corporations. In her publishing career, she has been responsible for setting up international partnerships, concluded international licensing contracts, arranged translations in over 50 countries and safe-guarded brand usage and reputations internationally. Emma is a committed supporter of the BSAC strategy and keen to help grow BSAC awareness and memberships in the UK and internationally.
Carline Deal Carline joined one of BSAC's longest standing clubs, Bermondsey 42 (London) in 2021 while much of the UK was still under lockdown restrictions. Theory lessons were conducted online until pools opened and practical lessons could restart, enabling her to fulfil one of her lifelong ambitions to become an Ocean Diver. Steadily progressing through Advanced Ocean Diver to Sports Diver with a sister branch in Egypt, BSAC membership has not only brought her diving skills but also friendships and camaraderie based on shared passion for the ocean. Carline is an Army veteran, holds a BA (Hons) in Business management, with a background in finance, neuroscience, and research & development. Her career experience spans 25+ years collectively in the fields of private banking, project management, business strategy, and continuity planning.
Alexander Denny Alex brings over twenty years of corporate governance, risk management, and fiduciary oversight experience from executive and board roles at Fidelity, Pantheon, Aurora UK Alpha PLC, Margetts Fund Management, and the AIC. An active instructor, Diving Officer of Eden Divers, Committee Member for Holborn SAC and member of NASAC, he also serves as a Trustee for the Nautical Archaeology Society and previously MARINElife. As a BSAC Council Member, Alex combines his commercial governance expertise with a deep commitment to technical diving and marine conservation to support the club's strategic growth, safety protocols, and operational resilience.
Catherine Haworth Catherine is new to diving but says she is "excited to throw herself in at the deep end". She loves the ocean and learned to dive so she could fulfil a long held dream of swimming with sharks. Now that's ticked off her bucket list, she is wanting to gain more experience and see more of the underwater world. By day, Catherine is a lawyer who specialises in brand management and intellectual property. She hopes to bring her knowledge and love of the ocean to BSAC as a member of the Council.
Catherine Smith Catherine has enjoyed diving around the UK with the Aberdeen club since 2012 and is passionate about supporting divers as they build their confidence and get the most from their diving. Her favourite dive trips in recent years include St Kilda, Shetland and Plymouth, which have fostered some of her closest friendships. She enjoys the BSAC sense of community and wants to encourage welcoming, supportive environments where members feel recognised, valued and encouraged to continue their diving journey. She is currently completing her PhD at the University of Manchester researching the history of underwater exploration in Britain. As an ordinary member of council, she looks forward to listening to members, supporting volunteers and helping ensure clubs continue to thrive for future generations of divers.
Non-Executive Director - Samantha Holgate-Davey Sam is Strategic Lead for Projects and Programmes at British Equestrian, the National Governing Body for equestrian sport in the UK. She leads the design and delivery of sector-wide initiatives focused on resilience, sustainable growth, and widening participation. With over 25 years’ experience in programme delivery across national governing bodies, the arts and cultural sector, and community development, Sam specialises in strategic, insight-led development and partnership working. A lifelong equestrian, and born and brought up by the sea, she is passionate about widening access to outdoor activity and the natural world, and looks forward to contributing to BSAC’s ongoing growth and development.
Non-Executive Director - Antonella Mulè Former FTSE Chief Strategy & Corporate Development Officer and executive leader with a track record of driving growth, transformation, and value creation. Previously held senior finance roles at Deutsche Bank and Citigroup, with expertise in performance management and capital allocation. International experience across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. Passionate about helping complex organizations adapt to generational shifts and reinvent how they create value for the next generation of customers.

Life Vice President - Harry Gould