UKAPU Committee Biographies

Hi, I’m Robbie Hutchison — Chairman of UKAPU and Player Marshal at Section 8.

I’ve been playing airsoft for nine years now, with over seven of those spent on committees and helping run things on the ground.

I play as a Player Marshal, meaning I’m right in the game playing alongside everyone else rather than standing on the sidelines. It keeps me completely impartial, lets me see what’s actually happening on the field, and helps keep the game fair and honest for both sides. I also love hitting the road and travelling to different sites, taking in new game zones and meeting folk across the scene. I like putting together custom game modes and fresh scenarios to keep walk-on days interesting.

Outside of game day, I bring a solid background in customer service to my role as UKAPU Chairman. My focus is simple: protect our rights as players, support the community, and make sure we’ve got a union that actually represents the people on the field.

If you want a proper voice in where the sport is heading, come join us at UKAPU — let’s get stuck in together.

I’m Stephen Dodds, an airsoft enthusiast who enjoys the challenge, teamwork, and adrenaline of the game. Whether it’s tactical milsim events or fast-paced skirmishes, I’m always looking to improve my skills, meet like-minded players, and enjoy the sport. Airsoft is more than a hobby for me—it’s a passion.

James Williams or to most people Yams, has been involved with airsoft properly since 1998 cutting his teeth at the now long defunct urban site at Sopley, then run by Airsoft Adventures. After several years of playing at the limited amount of sites that then existed across the country Yams set up his own site and in 2000 Spectre Wargames opened up and continued with woodland and urban sites for the next ten years.

He brings a wide range of experience not only of airsoft games at home and abroad but a deeper understanding into the practical and political shenanigans behind the scenes. He was one of the founder members of the United Kingdom Airsoft Sites Governing Body and was party to the negotiation of the VCRA, followed by assisiting Matt Furey-King in the creation of UKAPU in 2009.

In his role as treasurer James tracks and manages UKAPU’s finances.

Hi, I’m James Moreton from the West Midlands. I’ve been into Airsoft since 2022 and love capturing moments through media and photography. I’m always up for a good challenge, whether I’m on the field or behind the lens.

Hi, I’m David Weston but everyone knows me as Westie. I’ve been with UKAPU since 2016 in various roles, currently I’m the Secretary.

I’ve been playing airsoft since approximately 2011 and have travelled all over the UK in pursuit of hit taking.

Additionally I am responsible for maintaining the website.

This position is held by David Weston.

Hello I’m Darren Duff, the UKAPU representative for Scotland and a keen airsoft enthusiast. Since first taking up the sport in 2015, airsoft has become more than just a hobby, giving me the opportunity to build lasting friendships, develop new skills, and be part of a fantastic community. Through my role with UKAPU, I want to support the growth of airsoft in Scotland and the UK as a whole. I am passionate about helping newcomers to the sport and supporting everyone with any needs they have.

This position is vacant.

This position is vacant.

Barry Parker: With over 20 years of experience in airsoft, I have enjoyed playing across a variety of environments, including CQB, urban and woodland sites. Over the years, I have gained valuable experience of different playing styles, site environments and the challenges faced by both players and organisers.

One of the things I value most about airsoft is the community. Throughout my time in the sport, I have benefited from the knowledge, advice and support of experienced players and site owners, and I believe it is important to pass that support on to others.

I am particularly passionate about helping newcomers find their feet in airsoft. Starting something new can sometimes feel daunting, especially when you are unfamiliar with the equipment, rules or unwritten expectations of the game. I am always happy to offer advice, answer questions and help new players feel welcome and confident.

I believe that experienced players have an important role to play in keeping airsoft friendly, safe and accessible. A welcoming attitude can make a real difference to someone’s first experience and help encourage them to stay involved in the sport.

Looking ahead, I want to do my part to support the airsoft community, encourage positive relationships between players and site owners, and help ensure that the challenges facing the sport are heard and understood. I believe that listening, sharing experience and working together are essential to building a stronger future for airsoft.

For me, airsoft has always been about more than just the game. It is about the friendships, the community, the experiences and the people who make it what it is. After more than 20 years in the sport, I remain as enthusiastic as ever about playing, helping others and doing my part to ensure that future generations can enjoy airsoft too.

Hi, I’m Brendon Stewart and have been the regional rep for the West Midlands since 2023. I had been a UKAPU member myself many years before considering an active role. 

My background in law enforcement and hobby of airsoft had drawn me to UKAPU to take part in shaping our sport ready for the future.

With legislation and attitudes changing as time goes by, I aim to be one step ahead in protecting our sport, ensuring both our community and the powers-that-be are well informed and accountable. 

I do play regularly and often share content on both Instagram and YouTube under @YankeeMike92.

See you on the field! 

I am Tishy Nich and I am based in Powys, mid Wales. I have been playing and running airsoft games and events for 12 years.  Airsoft has a massive place in my home & heart.

I also strongly believe in supporting airsoft players and the airsoft industry.

This position is vacant.

I’m Craig Wood, an airsoft player, enthusiast and newly appointed UKAPU South East Representative.

My role within the emergency services has made me a big believer in teamwork, camaraderie, mucking in when it matters. I love a bit of tactical planning, tactical communication, working as part of a team, solving problems, mission completion and of course, having a laugh along the way.

My working class background finds me with a common sense, laid back, simplistic approach to achieve our goal, why make life hard?!

Airsoft has become a huge part of my life. It’s about more than the kit, the rifles or the games — it’s the people, the friendships, the teamwork and the memories we create.

I want to give players across the South East and the whole community a voice, I’ll stand up for our community, listen to players, support sites and help protect the sport we all enjoy. I believe airsoft should be safe, responsible, welcoming and, above all, something we can continue to enjoy for years to come.

With the help of friends, Matt Furey-King founded UKAPU in 2009, and served as Chairman for the majority of of the first decade. Matt was also elected President of the European Airsoft Association from 2011 to 2021. In that time he represented airsoft players interests to government, in both Westminster and Brussels.

Aside from politics, Matt has been playing since the mid 90s and has been a familiar sight up and down the UK over the decades, as well as having played airsoft all over Asia, The Pacific, Europe, and Russia. Matt is a keen tech, and a milsim player, and has run a YouTube airsoft channel on occasion, as well as writing articles for Airsoft Action magazine.

Since settling back down in Bristol, Matt has rejoined the UKAPU committee as South West Representative.

I’m Ian Lawrence and I am:

• Owner of Lincolnshire Airsoft Club (LAC)
• Owner of Lincolnshire and Counties Training Solutions (LACTS)
• Founder of the UK Airsoft Federation (UKAF)
• East Midlands representative of UKAPU
• 60 years old
• Veteran
• Married with 3 children and two Grandchildren.
• Involved with multiple charity works
• Keen angler amongst other activities.

I have been involved with Airsoft since 2006. l started LAC as a dare as a one off in 2008. LAC was started as a non profit organisation and have been growing ever since whilst remaining true to our core values.

In 2015 I started a consultancy business to provide H&S and first Aid Training and education.

As a site owner and as per the UKAPU constitution I have no voting rights, therefore there can be no conflict of interest. An important point to note – I still believe that UKAPU can do so much for the community.

This position is vacant.