ABC welcomes new interim Chair Dean Straw

ABC Chair update

We are pleased to announce our new Chair of the Board Dean Straw (pictured left) who will be in the post on an interim basis. Dean is a hugely experienced member of our industry having worked his way through from part-time receptionist to CEO at Mile End Climbing Wall. As per our Articles of Association the Chair is appointed from within the Board of Directors, and Dean has already been serving the ABC membership as a Director since 2023, leading on Safeguarding, including our new Safeguarding Guidelines launched earlier this year. Dean has also previously been our Equity Diversity & Inclusion lead; he is passionate about ensuring the brilliant activity of climbing is available to everyone and delivers this through his day job at Development Through Challenge (DTC)

“I’m honoured to have the privilege of representing the ABC as Chair on an interim basis, and am very much looking forward to supporting Kath and the team with all the valuable work they do on behalf of our members.” Dean Straw, CEO, DTC

We would also like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you on behalf of the Board and membership to our outgoing Chair, Duncan Howard (pictured right). Duncan has been a dedicated Board member for three full terms, the last four years of which he has served as Chair. He worked hard to help the ABC support walls during the second half of the pandemic and meet the challenges as things began to reopen. He has overseen the launch of the Accreditation scheme which is an important element of the industry’s ongoing professionalisation, and enabled us to be in a position where we could develop the new Incident Reporting Database and deliver it to members for free, so that we can all share our data and gain insight to help reduce accidents.

“It’s been an honour and a pleasure being part of the ABC for the past 9 years. In that time I have been privileged to see the industry grow and mature over this time and be part of the growth of the trade association that serves it. In this time the ABC has developed to help its members evolve safely and professionally, embracing all climbers. The ABC is now better resourced that it has ever been and our offer goes way beyond just the guidelines. With the seismic shifts as the industry matures and consolidates I’m confident that the ABC has the vision and drive to support its members to thrive. Constantly improving guidelines, the quality mark provided by Accreditation and increasing professionalism through the RSD are just the start.” Duncan Howard, CEO, The Castle