The BMF Annual General Meeting 2023

The British Motorcyclists Federation held its AGM on 14th October 2023, at 10.00. The event, held on Zoom, was a great success with members taking part, from both Clubs and as individuals.

Regular business was dealt with briskly, before moving on to wide ranging discussions on a number of topics.

The meeting heard reports from the Chair, Jim Freeman, and fellow Directors and Staff:

Anna Zee, Political & Technical Services
Sheonagh Ravensdale, Communications
Helen Hancock, Administrator and Social Media Manager
Peter Laidlaw, Membership Services
Howard Anderson, Finance

The meeting was run by Jim Freeman, who managed the polls and voting, with help from Helen Hancock, the BMF’s Administrator, particularly monitoring the lively chat board.

Jim Freeman was re-elected as Chair with 95% of the votes cast on a zoom poll.

The meeting approved the accounts for BMF [Enterprises] ltd for 2022, with 95% in favour .

The nomination list for the BMF Council, with candidate Councillors elected from the National and One Makes Club Forum [NOMC] and Annual Regional Meetings [ARM], was passed en bloc by a 95% poll.

Key topics raised and discussed at the meeting included the BMF responses to consultations, and other essential lobbying activity:

The implications of the refocusing of BMF lobbying activity from the EU to the UK. The increasing irrelevance of the EU to riders in the UK following Brexit, and the consequent increasing importance of the National Motorcycle Council [NMC] as a broad platform of different motorcycling interests combining to lobby the UK government. The BMF are the single biggest contributor and the largest membership group within the NMC. Along with the other members; the Autocycle Union [ACU], Trail Riders Fellowship [TRF] , IAMRoadsmart, National Motorcycle Dealers Association [NMDA] and Vintage Motorcycle Club [VMCC] , the BMF work closely with the Motorcycle Industry Association [MCIA] when communicating with Ministers and Civil Servants. In a recent roundtable meeting with Minister of State for De-Carbonisation, Jesse Norman representatives from across the entire motorcycling spectrum were participating, which is not something that’s happened before.

The changes in BMF Communications strategy and their implementation. Sheonagh Ravensdale announced that she was stepping back as Communications Director, after seeing through the three-year project of revamping the BMF’s Communications, from an outside supplier, to totally in-house. The meeting thanked Sheonagh for her successful endeavour and wished her well, pursuing other interests.

The BMF’s financial situation and future. The increase in revenue from expanding membership, together with a small surplus in 2022, allowing for the employment of a Government Relations Executive [GRE]. The wages bill has risen substantially as a result, compared with 2021.

Paul Morgan CBE the new Government Relations Executive [GRE] , in place since September 2023, introduced himself to the meeting.

The successful renewal of the BMF’s events program, both attended externally, and the BMF’s own. The annual Dambuster Rally, has gone from success to success, with a maximum capacity sell-out this year. The new Lucky Cup Rally, held at Muncaster Castle in Cumbria, was a successful inaugural event, with the date fixed for 2024. Unlike the Dambuster site Muncaster Castle has substantial scope for development, in future.

The ongoing successful partnership with Bikesure who provide our BMF Insurance.

The partnership with Thorneycroft Solicitors, who provide the BMF Legal Line, also supporting road safety organisations.

The BMF Breakdown recovery scheme, as a significant member benefit.

The Chair, Jim Freeman, stressed that the BMF were committed to maximising lobbying effort within the available resources, including employing a full time Government Relations Executive [GRE].

The Chair closed the meeting at 13.15, after announcing the 12th October 2024 as the next AGM, venue to be confirmed.

Written by Jim Freeman – BMF Chair

Top image courtesy of David S on Unsplash