Leaders in Outdoor Experiential Learning

BAC Team

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

Committee Structure

Staff Structure

To view members of the BAC Management Committee 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: Centre Director

    Stephen has been involved with BAC since shortly after it opened in 1988 and is now the Centre Director. He has a range of outdoor pursuits qualifications including International Mountain Leader, British Canoe Union Level 3 Coach, and RYA power boat instructor to name but a few of his awards. 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 has a vocation toward the charity and its personal development work with young people.


  • Brian Kitson

    Job Title: Operations Manager

    Brian joined BAC as the Operations Manager in October 2008. Having spent 10 years in the IT industry he finally saw the light and has been working in the Outdoor Sector for the past 9 years both in the UK and Europe. With an MA in Professional Development (Outdoor Leaning) and Accredited Practitioner of the Institute of Outdoor Learning he has a passionate belief in the benefits of outdoor education and is occasionally let out from behind his desk to work with young people.

    In his spare time whilst not entertaining his two small children he can be found out playing anywhere that involves water, mountains snow and rock.


  • Derek Lyons

    Job Title: Business Manager

    Derek joined the team in Oct 2008. Having previously worked in banking and as Office Manager for a group of bars and restaurants, he is looking forward to the different working environment of the centre. He is a keen sports fan and also enjoys keeping fit.


  • Kit McCormick

    Job Title: Manager

    Kit has been involved with BAC for over 20 years. Her current role is to Manage the YouthBuild project as well as to develop the stragetic aims of the Centre.

    Kit has a wide range of outdoor qualifications including International Mountain Leader's Award. Her other qualifications include a BA (Hons) in Sports Studies, P.G.C.E. (University of North Wales), and Senior REC Trainer. She is also an Accrediated Practitioner in Outdoor Learning as well as one of the first APIOL mentors in Northern Ireland.


  • Amy Kiston

    Job Title: Administrator

    Amy joined BAC in November 2008 after relocating to Northern Ireland from Southampton.

    Amy’s background has been in Leisure, working in the fitness industry for 12 years. She enjoys the mountains and has walked the GR20 in Corsica and the GR10 in the Pyrenees in the last couple of years.

    You may see more of her volunteering in the next year with the Open Award – as well as at the Reception of the Europa once a month coordinating the Abseils.

    Amy can be found at the front desk all week apart from Thursdays.


  • Nicola Campbell

    Job Title: Senior Disability Project Worker

    Nicola has been involved with the Centre for over 16 years. She started off as a Gold Participant in 1990, 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 became the Disability Project Worker. Nicola’s qualifications include Mountain Leader Award, Rock Climbing Leaders Award, Level II Canoe/kayak Instructor as well as a number of others. In 2008 she completed an MA in Disability Studies at Leeds University.


  • Jill Maxwell

    Job Title: Project Worker for Training

    Jill became involed 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 qualificatons including a BMus (Hons), P.G.C.E., A.T.C.L., REC Trainer, MLC and Leave No Trace Master Educator. Jill’s main interest is mountainering and also co-ordinates the Center's Open Award. She is currently completing an MEd.


  • Ryan Hanvey

    Job Title: Project Worker. Belfast ALP

    As an MIA trainee Ryan is one of Northern Ireland's top mountaineers and has a broad range of outdoor qualifications to compliment his talent and ability in the outdoor environment. Ryan has been involved with BAC in various capacities since 1997- most recently he has taken on the position of YouthBuild Project Worker, working with a broad spectrum of groups from the Greater Shankill area! Ryan is a qualified youth worker so undertakes a lot of facilitation work with young people and has assisted in the Centre's development of community relations programmes.


  • Noel Maguire

    Job Title: YouthBUILD 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 bikes and holds the Mountain Bike Instructor Award Scheme (MIAS) level 3.

    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.


  • 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!


  • Richard Gawith

    Job Title: Instructor

    Richard is a keen mountaineer who recently graduated from St. Martin's College in Ambleside with a BA in Outdoor Studies. He has a real passion for the mountains and loves a challenge, and next on his tick-list is the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye.


  • Rob Bowles

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

    Rob joined the centre in November 2009 as a Project Worker for the Inside Out Programme. He previously worked as a Mechanical Design Engineer but now is following his passion to work in the outdoors full time.

    Rob has worked part time and voluntarily in outdoor work for all of his adult life and has acquired his Mountain Leader Award and Level II Kayak coach. He is a keen paddler and also enjoys climbing and mountaineering.


  • Gerry Nugent

    Job Title: Instructor

    Gerry joined the BAC team in May 2009. He has a range of outdoor persuits qualifications including Mountain Leader, Orienteering Coach, Level 1 Canoe Coach and Archery Leader.

    In 2008 he gained a PGD in Outdoor Education from the University of Edinburgh and is currently completing an MSc in Outdoor Education.

    His interests include Leadership, Personal Development and using the outdoors as a medium for unlocking potential.


  • Niall Mowbray

    Job Title: Instructor

    Niall has just joined the staff team as a full-time Instuctor. He has completed a BA in Outdoor Enviornmental Education and also holds a number of outdoor qualifications including Level 2 Canoe/Kayak Coach and Moutain Leader's Award.

    Niall is a keen paddler who I am sure you will see out on the water!


  • Glenn Anderson

    Job Title: Resource Coordinator

    Glenn has just joined the Centres as the Resource Coordinator, having formally been a professional diver. His is a keen football player and enjoys being in the outdoors. He has previously completed his own DofE Silver Award and has a dimplomia in Team Leading and Management.

    Glenn is keen to learn more about the Centre and get to know the staff and volunteer team.


  • Vicki Fong

    Job Title: Trainee Instructor

    Vicki has been involvd with BAC since 2005 when she joined the Open Award. She went on to complete the Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold level.

    Vicki enjoys the outdoors and has recently completed her Basic Expeditional Leader's Award (BEL) and has joined the Centre on her GAP year as a full-time Trainee Instructor.


  • Sheena Mann

    Job Title: Trainee Instructor

    Sheena joined BAC's Open Award in 2005. She went on to complete the Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold level. She then became a volunteer with the Centre helping out with a broad range of activites and supporting charity abseils. She is now completing the year-long GAP programme (funded by the Rank Foundation) as a Trainee Instructor.

    Sheena's other interests include Tae-kwon-do, where she is a black belt and all Ireland Champion.


  • Lucy Meadows

    Job Title: Trainee Instructor

    Lucy has joined us from Chichester University and is currently completing a BA (Hons) in Adventure Studies and she has joined the Centre for a year's placement. Lucy is a keen paddler and wishes to expand her experience in Northern Ireland.


  • Patrick McBride

    Job Title: Disability Instructor
    Telephone: 028 90600132

    Patrick has recently moved over from Scotland to pursue the post of Disability Instructor with BAC. He is a passionate climber involved in all aspects of the sport from bouldering to sport climbing to Scottish winter climbing. Patrick completed a BSc in Environmental Science with Outdoor Education at the University of Stirling, spending much of the time studying at Glenmore Lodge.
    Patrick's portfolio of qualifications include ML, SPA and UKCC Level 1 Coach. He has experience of working with a broad range of clients including young disabled people, school groups, youth and community groups and corporate teams.
    He is a strong believer in the power of outdoor experiential learning and has a keen interest in helping disabled young people build their future.


  • John McAvenney

    Job Title: Instructor
    Telephone: 02890600132

  • Belfast ALP
  • Charity Abseils
  • REC First Aid

Website design and website development by Tibus Belfast