UKPSA Chair’s Update August 2025

It has been just over two months since the new UKPSA Board were elected at the AGM and to say we’ve been busy would be an understatement! 

The Board has got to work on three key areas of business.

First, we have focussed on the urgent business of opposing the future ban on lead shot. Recognising the existential threat to IPSC Shotgun, Julia Hilger-Ellis has been working with a group of UKPSA volunteers and building support with other shooting organisations to fight with all means available this unfounded and illogical action by the HSE. I’m also pleased to report that we have raised over £1,200 for our fighting fund, including a very generous donation from the National Target Shotgun Association.

Second, we have been getting in place all the necessary (if slightly boring) things for good governance, modernising the way we operate as a charity. Our General Secretary, Jayne, has started a wholesale review of our bylaws and policies. Our Treasurer, Gareth, has put in place new more rigorous arrangements for banking, managing financial transactions and dealing with sponsorship, working in close partnership with our new lay board member, Ben Ducker. I myself have introduced and had approved a new policy on the declaration of personal and commercial interests. This now requires all elected officers and appointed volunteers to declare their interests and to recuse themselves during meetings if topics discussed relate to these.

Finally, as a key part of the constitutional change and in line with our strategy to grow IPSC shooting in Great Britain, we’ve been developing ideas for the new Sports Council, which will see it deliver in a different way for our sport and our members compared with the old UKPSA Council.

The Board leads on overall strategy, external relationships, governance, budgets and expenditure, and conduct and standards. An administrative team of volunteers led by the General Secretary also provides critical membership services. The Sports Council works closely with the Charity Board and led by the Regional Director, will focus on the key objective, of delivering and growing our sport in Great Britain. Individual Council members will be responsible for a key area of the sport, and like the Board, all these roles will be elected by you, the members. 

Once the Board has finalised the role descriptors, we will publicise these widely with a plan to hold elections in late September/early October and I would encourage all members to take a look and put their name forward if they feel they can contribute.

Martyn Spence

Chair, UKPSA Board