BMF Structure

How does it all work?

The British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) is a national federation of individual members and affiliated clubs, whose constitution states that its purpose is to "protect, promote and pursue the future of motorcycling". This is achieved through the BMF's political campaigning, and by public relations work, for example taking stands to motorcycling and non-motorcycling events.

The BMF is exceptionally reliant on the hard work and dedication of its volunteer workers. We are very fortunate, however, in that the modern BMF is able to have a paid Chief Executive Officer and Finance Officer, both based at our Leicester office, together with an administrative team helping us to look after memberships, campaigns, events, advertising and general office work (this is not a comprehensive list, as you'll probably have realised). In addition, we have staff members working in the field, Trevor Magner and Richard Olliffe who look after our Government relations work. We also employ some external agencies to look after our magazine, our website and our press and public relations work.

In addition to this, we have an army of volunteers, whose function I shall try to explain below:

The Management Team (MT)

The BMF has an eight member Management Team, elected on a rotating three-year basis (except the Chairman, who is elected annually) at the Federation's Annual General Meeting which takes place in October. Management Team members make the day to day decisions about how the Federation is run, and comprise the Chairman plus the directors of Administration, Finance, Marketing, Political and Technical Services, Public Relations and Communications, Affiliate Member Services and Individual Member Services. Each BMF director runs a committee to assist him/her, and appoints a deputy (the Federation Chairman's deputy is elected annually by the members of the MT). Meetings (MT and committee) are usually held quarterly.

BMF (Enterprises) Ltd - BMF(E)

The BMF is legally an "Unincorporated Association", a form of organisation common to voluntary groups; however, an "Unincorporated Association" cannot legally trade or employ people, hence the need to have a "trading arm" of the organisation known as BMF (Enterprises) Limited or BMF(E). 

The BMF Chairman plus the directors of Administration, Finance and Marketing also have the responsibility of being directors of BMF(E) and, together with an appointed Company Secretary, they are the people who make the business decisions of the BMF; it also runs the BMF Show and other events that used to be run by BMF (Promotions). All paid staff of the BMF are employed by BMF(E). BMF(E) meetings are usually held consecutively with MT meetings, although extra meetings can be called if needed.

BMF (Promotions) Ltd (BMFP)

BMF (Promotions) Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMF(E) that used to run the shows - it is now a dormant company that does not trade.

The BMF Foundation

The BMF Foundation is a registered charity set up in June 2003 to fund research and sponsor work that will improve the life of the everyday motorcyclist. Its aims and objectives are wide ranging, from reduction of crime involving motorcycles, to protection of the environment, to the design, development and maintenance of roads. Its trustees are currently the existing BMFE directors, although it is intended that this will be widened to incorporate representatives from a variety of areas as it grows. 

The trustees currently meet quite regularly, although it is hoped that this will be reduced as the procedures and systems for administering it are refined, and consider applications for funds. Motorcyclists are encouraged to make contributions to the Foundation e.g. by direct donation (especially "gift aiding"), or through a bequest. It is hoped that the Foundation will soon have at least one well-known patron. This is "work in progress"

The BMF Council

Members stand for election (annually) to the BMF Council through their Annual Regional Meeting or, if they are a member of a national or one make club, through the NOMC Forum. Their job is to represent the views of the people who elected them, and they attend three meetings per year plus the Federation's AGM. The Councillors main job is to set policy in respect of motorcycling, with the Policy Document being a standing order on the agenda. Councillors also receive reports from MT members, and from the Regional and NOMC Directors, all of whom are also Councillors.

Representation of Individual Members and Local Affiliated Clubs

The Federation is split into ten geographic regions with a Regional Chairman (RC) elected to be responsible for each one. At each Annual Regional Meeting (ARM) individual members and representatives from local affiliated clubs receive a report from MT and from Council, before going on to discuss regional issues. Elections for Regional Chairmen take place at ARMs (every three years, unless there has been a mid-term resignation), and there are annual elections for Councillors. 

The successful candidates have their positions ratified (and their term of office commences) at the Federation's AGM. ARMs take place between April and July, the date and venue being advertised in Motorcycle Rider magazine, and are organised by the respective RCs. Once in post, the RCs appoint area representatives (reps) who report directly to the RC. Reps' duties can vary enormously; from lobbying local authorities to organising social events. The Regional Chairmen report to the Federation's Chairman; in addition to this they also meet as a group, together with the NOMC Chairman (see below) twice a year.

Representation of National and One Make Club (NOMC) Members

The National and One Make Clubs (NOMCs) have their own "regional" Chairman, who is elected at an annual NOMC Forum. At the Forum representatives from NOMCs receive a report from MT and from Council, before going on to discuss issues of significance to NOMC members. An election for the NOMC Chairman takes place at the Forum (every three years, unless there has been a mid-term resignation), as well as there being annual elections for Councillors. 

The successful candidates have their positions ratified (and their term of office commences) at the Federation's AGM. The NOMC Forum takes place between April and July, the date and venue to be advertised in Motorcycle Rider magazine, and is organised by the NOMC Chairman. Once in post, the NOMC Chairman appoints officers who report directly to him/her. The NOMC Chairman reports to the Federation's Chairman; in addition to this he/she also takes part in meetings with the Regional Chairmen twice a year.