Kenneth Crookston
Chief Executive Officer
Kenny Crookston was appointed to the CEO role with BBE in April 2018 following a lifetime’s involvement in various aspects of brass banding.
Born in West Lothian, he began playing the cornet aged five. Joining his first adult band three years later, he went on to play both principal and soprano cornet and won numerous soloist prizes before, in 1982, joining Whitburn Band, then conducted by Major Peter Parkes. During the following three decades, he was a prominent player and administrator with Whitburn, performing regularly at all of the major contests, as well as in countless concerts, recordings and broadcasts.
In 2004, Kenny was appointed as Editor of British Bandsman and, over the next 14 years, became renowned as an incisive commentator on brass bands, as well as maintaining a regular presence at major events across Europe. He has produced major events like British Bandsman’s 125th Anniversary Concert at Symphony Hall, Birmingham (2012) and, on a number of occasions, the Internet live-streaming of the European Championships. In addition, he is a member of the Brass in Concert Festival board and an advisor to Norway’s leading brass entertainment event, Siddis Brass.
Kenny’s exploits on two wheels are also well documented and his cycling marathons have raised thousands of pounds for various charities including, most recently, Brass for Africa.
Mobile: 07967805444
Email: kenny@bbe.org.uk
Alex "Parky" Parker
Partnership and Development Manager
Parky first came to banding when he joined Warwick University Brass band in 2008. Parky has since worked in banding through managing bands, helping establish UniBrass into what it is today and recently returned from Kampala working for “Brass for Africa”. Parky has been workin for BBE since March 2018, working on commercial projects and partnerships to develop what we offer our members.
Parky has worked alongside BBE since he became very involved in running UniBrass, including two years as Chair of the Organising Committee, in the development of the UniBrass charity structure and the annual Universities’ Brass Band Band Championship, next year to be held in Bangor. Alongside this Parky continued to play with the university band for 9 years, 5 of which in the principal seat as well as finding time to complete a PhD too! Parky still supports UniBrass as a trustee alongside other roles in the brass band movement as a volunteer.
Mobile: 07803147101
Email: alex@bbe.org.uk
Sarah Baumann
Education and Development Co-ordinator
Mobile: 07753 433620
Email: sarah@bbe.org.uk
Rosie Banham
Membership Support Officer
Rosie Banham joined BBE in January 2019 and is no stranger to brass banding. Born into a banding family, Rosie started playing cornet the age of 9, quickly moving onto horn, with the Hall Royd Band, Shipley, conducted by her father. She was a member of the Home Charm Paints (Thornhill) Band before moving from West Yorkshire to the outskirts of Saddleworth and joining Greenfield Band. Since 2000, Rosie has played with Delph Band, making 2 visits to the National Championships, appearing onstage in local productions of ‘Brassed-Off’, and an episode of Coronation Street. She is proud to play in a Saddleworth Band on Whit Fridays.
Following a career in Quality Management and Operational Excellence, Rosie decided to focus on her passion for banding by taking on the new role of Membership Support Officer with BBE. She is a key point of contact for our members and those wishing to join the organisation, both in the national office and out and about at our various events.
Rosie is also involved in charity work and chairs a small charity with links to a subsistence farming village in El Salvador.
Mobile: 07522 931124
Email: rosie@bbe.org.uk