The 72nd BSAC AGM saw a reflective club that has been experiencing both challenges and opportunities. The picture painted was one of pragmatism and progress, with BSAC Council’s strategy firmly focused on the practicalities of creating an agile, sustainable and resilient BSAC. It was also a meeting tempered by the realities of a changing world and the need to futureproof BSAC, its membership and its financial position.
Chair’s Report
Andy Shenstone opened his first AGM as BSAC Chair by extending a warm welcome. Held online, the meeting was legally quorate, with 72 members logging on and Andy thanked everyone who had made the time to attend. “We are at our heart a member-based organisation and it's through the work of all of you as members, that we're able to thrive as we do as the British Sub-Aqua Club, the largest diving club in the world."
He then began by outlining the challenges the organisation had faced as it worked to move beyond its ‘legacy IT’ to its new Associated Management System (AMS). While stressing that it was essential for the new system to be installed, Andy acknowledged the impact the implementation has had on HQ staff and across the organisation. He thanked BSAC clubs, members and volunteers for their input, patience and support as the MyBSAC portal was upgraded and the new Sport:80 system implemented.
Andy said that the benefits of such a major system change would not be seen ‘overnight’. “It was absolutely critical that we were able to deploy a supported member administration system and there’s work still to complete to optimise its use.”
Improving efficiency remained a key theme throughout 2025, including seeing part of the BSAC offices sub-let alongside other cost efficiency measures in HQ. Andy also highlighted Council’s focus on improving member recruitment and retention, as well as work ongoing to modernise the club’s diver resources to increase instructor capacity.
The role of BSAC as a governing body in relation to a reduction in hyperbaric oxygen therapy provision was also discussed, with Andy confirming that hyperbaric facilities in Hull and Wirral had just been awarded contracts. “Please be assured that we, as your national governing body, take our responsibilities in representing interests of the divers in this area very seriously,” he added.
Highlighting the role of volunteers in making BSAC what it is, Andy then took a few moments to thank outgoing Council members, Dai Atkins, Alex Denny, David Bell and Lisa Shafe for their time and contribution. He also thanked Environment Chair Katherine Knight and her committee for the progress made over the last year with regard to BSAC’s environment strategy, and the launch of the Marine Champions initiative. Finally, he congratulated all the recipients of BSAC Awards 2025, before paying tribute to one of BSAC’s founding figures, Harry Gould, on his 100th birthday (for a full article please click here.)
Andy finished by outlining his analysis on the ‘real-world ‘shifts continuing to affect membership organisations. Highlighting the role of BSAC’s strategy in addressing the long-term issue of membership and retention, he stressed the need to “deal with the world as it is, not the world we might like it to be.”
“We've got a clear position as Council on tight expenditure control and supporting organisational efficiency. You would expect nothing less of us. We now need to look at opportunities for diversification where that is sustainable. But we’ve also got to ensure we deliver value to our existing members, so they are encouraged to remain with the fantastic diving community that is the British Sub-Aqua Club.”
Treasurer’s Report
Honorary Treasurer Richard Pettifer delivered an account of BSAC’s operating performance, which saw an income drop of 3.5%, largely attributed to a 5% reduction in members. While costs were reduced by 1.2%, the reporting year saw additional time-specific expenses due to the Sport:80 implementation as BSAC migrates to a more efficient digital system as well as a write down in the value of stock held The result was an operating deficit of £40k for 2025, compared to small operating surplus of £5.6k in 2024. BSAC currently has cash of £296.4k and balance sheet reserves of £172.3k, both of which are now at a 10-year low.
Richard highlighted that 95% of BSAC income comes from its membership, whilst only about 40% of expenses are directly related to membership numbers, this means that losses will increase as membership numbers drop unless action is taken to cut costs elsewhere. Confirming that he is satisfied that BSAC remains an ongoing concern, he countered it with caution. “The message is quite clear - we can't carry on like this. We've got to be restoring the financial health of BSAC if we want it to be resilient and prosper.”
The full BSAC Annual Report 2025 can be viewed at www.bsac.com/document/annual-report-2025/
National Diving Officer’s Report
BSAC NDO Sophie Rennie opened her presentation by highlighting a recent experience she had with other BSAC divers on an overseas trip – encountering a blue whale underwater. Still riding high on the encounter, Sophie moved enthusiastically on to the 2025 achievements of her National Diving Committee.
The year saw the new Deeper Diver course released, plus updates to Accelerated Decompression Procedures and Twin-set Diver. With supporting the club instructor capacity a strategic priority, Sophie reported that the level of qualifying instructors remained healthy during 2025, with 192 OWIs – the same as 2024 – coming through. There was also an increase in the number of Advanced Instructors and the National Instructor process has now become modular.
The Open Water Instructor Course has also been reviewed, and the Practical Instructor Exam is currently being looked at. Improvements have been made to Snorkelling for All, while the new Boat Handling Instructor Workshop has now gone live. The review of Advanced Diver should be completed by the end of the year and a new drysuit course is now in the pipeline. Sophie added that regional coaching team-organised events were up by 28% and the introduction of RefBook had also made the management and payment of volunteer expenses much more efficient.
BSAC centre numbers have also increased by 20% in 2025, and there’s been a 25% increase in the number of snorkelling enquires received.
Finally, Sophie reported on key BSAC diving and underwater heritage projects during the year. Safety remains a priority, including lobbying to protect access to hyperbaric chambers. BSAC also continues to liaise and advocate for divers on the Protection of Military Remains Act and remains a member of the Clean Water Sports Alliance.
“I've got a fantastic team, who are all working hard behind the scenes and I’d just like to say thank you to the HQ staff, NDC, lead project members and all the volunteers that give their time,” Sophie added.
Strategy Report
As the BSAC Council lead on strategy, Vice Chair Yasmine Thorn provided an update on its progress during 2025. Echoing Andy’s situational analysis, she expanded on the aim of the BSAC strategy in light of challenges currently not only faced by BSAC but other membership organisations and the scuba marketplace.
This, said Yasmine, means we have to ask how we want to operate in this changing market. “What parts of our operating model do we need to adapt? Do we need to change in order to better function? There are lots of things in BSAC that we all love and that we all value highly. And we don't want to lose those aspects of BSAC. We don't want to lose who we are at our core.”
Following the AMS upgrade, Yasmine explained that the strategic emphasis has shifted over the past 12 months to focus on delivery and diversification in order to help stabilise the organisation. “To create a stronger BSAC we need to increase our delivery capability – that’s more instructors, more courses. We need to look at different routes.”
She finished with an appeal to the BSAC membership.
“All of this isn't going to happen without the ideas of our wonderful members, without the support of our membership and those around us. So, please be patient while we are trialling things and do share your ideas and your thoughts.”
Ordinary and Special Resolutions
The meeting also saw the voting results of two resolutions. An ordinary motion was passed to appoint and set remuneration for auditors, Johnstone Howell & Co. Meanwhile, a Special Resolution proposing changes to the BSAC Council structure garnered 352 votes (81.01%) against.
2026 Council Election Results
BSAC also welcomed its newly elected Council Officers, following the results of the recent 2026 election. Both BSAC Vice-Chair Yasmine Thorn and Honorary Secretary Emma James were elected unopposed and, along with three Council Members – Catherine Smith, Carline Deal and Alexander Denny – took up their new positions following the 2026 AGM. Voter turnout for this year’s election was 7.1%, up by 0.1% on last year.
