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 - Edward Haynes

Edward joined BSAC in the late 1990s when on a military posting to Cyprus and gradually progressed through to become an Advanced Diver/Advanced Instructor. He initially worked in transport and logistics for the Ministry of Defence (MoD), before changing career and becoming an internal auditor first for the MoD and then privately, where he learned about business governance. Since 2013, Edward has been the Chief Internal Auditor for Allied Vehicles Ltd in Glasgow. He has been facilitating open water training sessions for BSAC members in South Scotland since 2007.

Vice-Chair - Yasmine Thorn

Yasmine has been a committee member of her local branch for 4 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

Bio coming soon...
Email Sophie

Honorary Secretary - Andy Shenstone

Andy is an Advanced Diver, diver coxswain, OWI and Snorkel Instructor in Vale Royal SAC based in Winsford, Cheshire. He’s the Diving Officer and club treasurer and dives in the UK throughout the year. Andy is an active branch instructor and leads club expeditions both in the UK and overseas. In his professional life, he is the CEO of NEBOSH, a charity that provides health, safety and environmental qualifications. "Diving is my passion and being a member of Council allows me to use my professional skills to support our sport’s continued development and success in the interests of all members."

Honorary Treasurer - Richard Pettifer

Bio coming soon...

Dai Atkins

Dai has been an active member of BSAC since 2006, involved at branch, regional and national levels. Since becoming a National Instructor in 2016 he has served six years as National Diving Officer, presiding over diving and training activities through some challenging times as well as seeing great progress made by the organisation as we move to more online learning, digitisation of services and diversification of products - whilst maintaining high quality and safety standards for our members.

David Bell

David has been a member of BSAC since 2005 when his club crossed over from another agency, and has been his club’s chairman for almost 20 years. He is an Advanced Instructor and a member of the ITS, as well as a former Regional Coach for Wales. During his working career he was a member of the Armed Forces, followed by the Civil Police attaining supervisory ranks in each. After retirement he decided to embark on another career with the railway, and only retired a short while ago as the local station manager. David brings a wealth of skills to the Council coupled with practicality and common sense.

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.

John Gibbons

Catherine Haworth

Bio coming soon...

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.

Lisa Shafe

Former Eastern Regional Coach, Lisa brings with her nearly 25 years of diving experience on both open- and closed-circuit, diving mostly on wrecks and reefs but also some cave diving experience as well. She is an OWI, CCR MOD 3 and FCD. As well as a passion for diving, Lisa also brings skills in strategy, budget planning, meeting planning, risk assessments, agile ways of working, coaching and other skills. She has already been involved with launching BSAC's improved equality, diversity and inclusion policy and eLearning awareness course, and is looking forward to being able to help drive BSAC and support its strategy over the next year.

Vice President - Prof. Brian Cumming

Brian has been a member for 48 years and has been actively involved in clubs holding a number of committee positions including Chairman and Diving Officer as well as being a founding member of the University of East London. Qualifying up to First Class Diver and National Instructor Brian has put those skills to good use as Eastern Regional coach, been an advisor to NDC and a member on the NDC board, has been on BSAC Council in past years and in 2009 became BSAC Vice President. Brian has also compiled and wrote the annual Diving Incident report since 1996.

Vice President - Jane Maddocks

Jane has been a BSAC member for many years and her main interest is in maritime archaeology and underwater heritage. She believes that recreational divers are an enormous force for good in exploring, finding and looking after our underwater heritage.

Vice President - Tony Marshall

Vice President - Prof. Clare Peddie

Life Vice President - Harry Gould