Leaders in Outdoor Experiential Learning

BAC Team

BAC is run by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers. The Board of Directors/Trustees and staff organisational charts can be viewed by clicking on the appropriate link below:

To view the full time staff structure please click here

To view members of the BAC Board of Directors / Trustees please click here

To view the BAC part time staff please click here

To view the BAC volunteer team please click here

  • Stephen Dickson

    Job Title: CEO

    Stephen has been involved with BAC since shortly after it opened in 1988 and is now the CEO. He has a range of outdoor pursuit qualifications including an International Mountain Leader qualification, a British Canoe Union Level 3 Coach certificate and a RYA power boat instructor award to name but a few of his achievements. Stephen has recently become one of the first Accredited Practitioners of the Institute of Outdoor Learning in Ireland and has completed an MA in Professional development. He holds a vocation toward the charity and the personal development work with young people that it allows.


  • Trevor Kilpatrick

    Job Title: Centre Manager

    Trevor has recently accepted the position of Centre Manager following his role as Development Manager for the past two years. Trevor has over twenty years experience within the voluntary sector across a range of disciplines including strategic planning, project planning and management, marketing, fundraising, volunteer support and development.


  • Derek Lyons

    Job Title: Business Manager

    After joining the BAC in 2008, Derek proved to be an invaluable member of staff, using his previous experience working in a bank and as an office manager to utilise the BAC’s resources to their utmost effectiveness. Derek is a passionate football mogul, as well as a fitness fanatic, and you will often see him making the rounds in the BAC.


  • Fiona Nugent

    Job Title: Office Manager

    Having only started as an office administrator in 2010, Fiona has swiftly worked her way to manager within a couple of years. With a Bachelor’s in Economics and Government, and two diplomas in Management as well as Human Relations, Fiona has proven herself an invaluable resource to BAC, as well as a popular personality. Her hobbies include travelling, jogging and visiting the Gym regularly.


  • Una McAuley

    Job Title: Part time Office Administrator/ Part time Instructor

    Una first discovered her passion for the outdoors when teaching sailing at an American Summer Camp two years ago. After a year and a half working on a training ship, Una returned to Belfast and began working as an instructor and administrator at BAC, whilst also training anew in wall climbing and mountain biking. Her speciality is indoor caving, which she finds particularly rewarding when working with young people. Una hopes to one day return to her travelling days, setting her sights on Australia, South America, Canada and Europe.


  • Mrs Jill Maxwell

    Job Title: Senior Project Worker

    Jill became involved with BAC in 2003 as a volunteer after completing her Gold Award. Having been bitten by the BAC bug, she left teaching to become a full time member of the team in 2005. Jill holds a number of qualifications including a BMus (Hons), a MEd, a P.G.C.E., an A.T.C.L., a REC Trainer, a MLC and a Leave No Trace Master Educator award. Jill’s main interest is mountaineering. Jill has recently successfully completed her Masters in Education.


  • Nicola Campbell

    Job Title: Senior Disability Project Worker

    Nicola has been involved with the Centre for over 16 years. Starting off as a Gold Participant in 1990 and completing a Gold expedition to the French Alps, she then became a volunteer. In 1997 she took up a full-time post at the Centre and in 2002 becoming the Disability Project Worker. Nicola’s qualifications include a Mountain Leader Award, a Rock Climbing Leaders Award and a Level II Canoe/Kayak Instructor award as well as a number of others. In 2008 she completed an MA in Disability Studies at Leeds University.


  • Noel Maguire

    Job Title: Senior Project Worker

    Noel joined the Centre in January 2009 as a Project Worker for the Greater Shankill Youth Build Initiative. Noel, has a broad experience of working in the outdoors; he is a Level 5 Asprint Inland Kayak Instructor, Sea Kayak Level 3 and Open Boat Level 2. Noel is also a keen mountain biker and holds a CTC Leader-Trainer Qualification for Trail Cycle Leaders. Noel has been involved with outdoor learning in a community context for over 15 years working in inner-city areas of Dublin. He is now part of the Youth Build Team working in the BT13 area of Belfast.


  • Garth Henry

    Job Title: (Acting) Senior Project Worker

    One of our newest members, Garth’s background in Mountaineering and Mountain Rescue has spanned more than 3 decades and he has proved an invaluable asset to the team. His qualifications include a MIA, a Winter ML, an Industrial Rope Access qualification, a Level 2 in Archery and a Yacht Master qualification. His achievements to date include expeditions to the Alps and the Himalayas as well as having trekked outdoors through various plots of North American wilderness. Garth hopes to pass this wealth of experience onto the young people that he encounters on a daily basis.


  • Gerry Nugent

    Job Title: (Acting) Senior Project Worker

    After achieving a PGD in Outdoor Education from the University of Edinburgh, Gerry joined the BAC team in 2009 and went on to complete a MSc in outdoor education. With a ML, an OC and a Level 1 Canoe and Archery Leader under his belt also, Gerry has proven to be an individual with strong leadership skills who is most at home in the outdoors. He is also interested in using the natural environment as a medium for exploring an individual's personal development and unlocking their potential.


  • Rob Bowles

    Job Title: Inside Out Project Worker
    Telephone: 028 9060 0132

    A stout member of the BAC team now for two years, Rob is an avid fan of Mountain Biking and Kayaking, indoor and outdoor. He has already achieved a Mountain Leader Award, a MIAS Mountain Bike Level 2 award and the prestigious Inland Kayak Level 3 award, and also practices his abilities as a First Aid Instructor, having completed a REC qualification. Rob’s passion lies in the outdoors, whether facing down the drop of a mountain or taming a rapid, there are few challenges that Rob finds daunting.


  • Raymond Braham

    Job Title: Instructor

    Raymond has been working at BAC since 2004 and before this was an Open Award volunteer. Until recently he was co-ordinating the Young Carer's Activity Programme, but is now working full-time alongside Nicola on the Disability project. Raymond has a wealth of experience and can turn his hand to pretty much anything. When he is not making an impact in the lives on the Belfast youth he is usually to be found out in the hills or on a raging river and when he finds his energy is a bit lacking he will take his seven grandchildren out on an adventure/fun packed weekend!


  • John McAvennie

    Job Title: Instructor
    Telephone: 02890600132

    Our second Scotsman in the team, John joined the BAC team in 2009 after being re-deployed by the Youth Justice Agency and is one of our most highly awarded instructors. His achievements to date include a Supervisor Award, Lv3 Kayaking, Lv3 Open Boat, Lv 3 REC, Lv3 Hill Walking, Lv 4 Power-boating, a YMT, a DIA, 4 Star Sea Kayaking, MBL Award, a HRR and an Archery Instructor Award. John will never be spotted without a cup of ginger herbal tea.


  • Niall Mowbray

    Job Title: Instructor

    A regular face at the BAC, Niall has been with the team for over two years, having joined us after completing his degree in Outdoor and Environmental Education. Niall has been passionate about outdoor education for more than 8 years and usually finds himself in long-term personal development programmes that seek to build the confidence and skills of the young people he works with. One of the most experienced mountain bike instructors in the country, he holds a plethora of mountain bike qualifications from every mountain bike organisation.


  • Vicki Fong

    Job Title: Youth Work Placement Student

    Vicki is a natural achiever and regular at the BAC. Having completed her Bronze, Silver and Gold awards which she began in 2005, Vicki went on to secure a placement in 2009. Already in her repertoire she holds a Level 3 Youth Work qualification, and a Basic Expedition Leader’s Award. She is also currently completing a BA Honours in Youth Work. She has also co-ordinated the Gold open award, which will soon see her lead an expedition into the Alps.


  • Glenn Anderson

    Job Title: Resource Coordinator

    Former professional deep-sea diver Glenn has been a BAC member for over 2 years, and has become a popular personality at the offices. He has achieved a number of professional qualifications including a Nebosh Level 3, a HSE Qualified Diver award, Team Leading and Management award and an Archery and RYA Powerboat Level 2. Aside from his outstanding achievements in deep-sea diving, Glenn is also a keen footballer and cyclist.


  • Alex Mathers

    Job Title: Instructor

    Alex volunteered at the centre for two years before venturing into instructing. He currently holds climbing, high ropes and cave training. Alex also holds the GNAS archery leader qualification and CTC Mountain Biking Qualification an OCN Level 2 in Youth Work and a Diploma in Sports Studies. Alex hopes to further study bachelor’s degree in Youth Work for the future and to pursue a stronger working relationship within the role of youth work in the outdoors. Keen on the outdoors, primarily climbing, he is also an avid rugby player. Currently, Alex is also working towards undertaking his Mountain Leader Award.


  • Kit McCormick

    Job Title: Manager

    Kit has been involved with BAC for over 20 years and has developed and secured a wide range of outdoor qualifications including an International Mountain Leader's Award. Her other qualifications include a BA Honours in Sports Studies, a P.G.C.E. from the University of North Wales as well as a Senior REC Trainer award. She is also an Accredited Practitioner in Outdoor Learning as well as one of the first APIOL mentors in Northern Ireland.
    Presently Kit is on sabbatical until March 2012.


  • Belfast ALP
  • REC First Aid
  • Charity Abseils
  • Access-Ability
  • MOBILE ADVENTURE LEARNING