The Pete Guest Award

This award is given in memory of Pete Guest who was an inspirational figure in the bat conservation movement for more than 20 years. Each year, the bat world is invited to nominate individuals who have made an outstanding practical contribution to bat conservation.

The criteria for the award include: dedication, innovation, enthusiasm and inspiration in making a difference, both to bats and to people, helping make BCT's vision become a reality.

Thank you to everyone who provided nominations and/or taken the time to vote. A total of 3 bat workers were nominated in 2023 and we received over 170 votes.

The winner was Steve Roe of the Derbyshire Bat Conservation Group. Steve's dedication across so many forms of bat conservation made him a worthy winner.

You can read the supporting statement provided for Steve's nomination, as well as the statements in support of Maggie Brown and Martyn Phillis, this year's two other nominees, in the link below.

A list of nominees and supporting statements was circulated to all bat group, shared via social media and the BCT website. Voting was done through an online form and was limited to one vote per person. Voting closed at 9am on 31st August 2023.

Please note the option of postal nominations and voting has been removed. This was approved at the Bat Workers Forum in 2022.

The award winner was announced at the National Bat Conference, 15^th – 17^th September 2023. The award winner will also be invited to give their acceptance speech again at the Bat Workers Forum on Tuesday 3^rd October 2023.

If you have any questions about the Pete Guest Award please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing the Bat Groups Officer, Abby Packham.