Aged 60 from South Wirral

Proposed by Robert Irvine and seconded by Jonathan Prestt

Management consultant and chartered accountant

Joined BASC in 1987, a member of the Penisyglyn Shoot syndicate

Chris says: I am a respected and conscientious chartered accountant with proven success at senior level in the profession. I was a partner in a big five firm and chief executive of a major private landed estate.  I was chief accountant at an early stage in my career for a major steel producing and engineering group. I am an accomplished mentor and consultant, being influential at board level.

I have for over 20 years been a member of a local shoot syndicate, where in the early days it was operated very much as a DIY shoot so as members we were very much “hands on”. That early endeavour has now come to see a first-class driven shoot. I enjoy the countryside, working my Labrador when not shooting. I have significant committee experience of membership organisations and understand the requirements and management of such bodies.

I believe that with my financial background and experience of membership organisations I will bring, for the benefit of the BASC members in general, a solid businesslike approach to help ensure the continuing viability and essential future development of the association.

I am a chartered accountant by profession and have practised in Liverpool for over 30 years. I have also been chief executive of a major local landed estate which operated its own in-hand farm as well as managing 15,000 acres of tenanted farmland; plus a significant sporting estate in Scotland. I am trustee of the Earl of Derby's Charitable Trust. I would bring very relevant senior level commercial experience to BASC.

I believe it is essential that the BASC continues to campaign on behalf of all involved in fieldsports, for the preservation of all their sporting rights. Also, to lobby for the return of fox hunting and to help the farmers particularly let alone to help protect the general public, to lobby for the necessary cull of badgers to help reduce the incidence of TB which could so easily alter the countryside environment and get back into the food chain.