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Mr Tom Hibbert MBE
This announcement is being released to clarify issues to all our members regarding Mr. Tom Hibbert MBE departure from the AMA organisation.
As you are all aware, Tom was the founder of the AMA in1971, which at that time it was called the AKA. With guidance from Tom the AMA has grown over the years to over 95,000 members and is still growing. Today it is recognised by many of the worlds leading martial arts associations and governing bodies. We will always be grateful for Tom's input in that regard.
Due to the immense success and growth of the AMA, it was felt that the organisation needed to employ a salaried Chief Executive Officer. Tom Hibbert MBE took up this role from the 1st July 1991. When WAKO ( the World Kickboxing Organisation) split from the AMA to be run as an independent body in 2007, Tom Hibbert MBE also became President of that organisation.
Over the last two years or so, Tom's work with WAKO was conflicting with that of the AMA to the extent that the interests of WAKO were being advanced over those of the AMA, resulting in a considerable loss of income and membership for the AMA. This has not only effected the current income and membership of the AMA but also that of future members and income. Despite verbal warnings to Tom, by the AMA Executive committee, no changes were made to Tom's behaviour. Please note, that there are other issues relating to Tom's conduct which for legal reasons we cannot disclose at the current time.
In order to protect the current and future membership of the AMA, legal advice was taken, and a fair disciplinary procedure was commmenced against Tom Hibbert on the 14th August 2009. A number of allegations were put to Tom in writing, and substantial documentary evidence was produced to support these allegations. Due to the serious nature of these allegations, Tom was suspended as Chief Executive Officer from that date.
At a disciplinary hearing on the 22nd August 2009, as Tom had no reasonable defence to the allegations, Tom offered his resignation from the AMA to avoid the publicity and allow him to have a gracious exit on the basis of retirement. We were content to take this approach. However, Tom, without good reason, later withdrew his resignation.
Upon taking further legal advice and in order to protect the members of the AMA, the Executive committee had no option but to proceed with the disciplinary proceedings.
After a disciplinary hearing on the 1st September 2009, at which Tom attended and was unable to provide a reasonable defence to the allegations, Tom was summarily dismissed in writing on the 2nd September 2009, for serious gross misconduct. Tom was provided with an avenue of Appeal against the dismissal, but he has declined to Appeal at this time and has accepted the decision.
In light of the events that have occurred, Tom will no longer have any recognised authority to act for or on behalf of the AMA. The AMA Executive Committee, will be re-organising the structure of the administration of the AMA to ensure that by moving forward, the interests of the members of the AMA are put first and that the AMA will continue to grow and remain one of the largest multi style associations of martial arts in the United Kingdom.
For and on behalf of the AMA Executive,
Mrs Christine Hibbert
After a disciplinary hearing on the 23rd September 2009, at which Christine Hibbert attended and was unable to provide a reasonable defence to the allegations put to her, Christine was summarily dismissed in writing on the 30th September 2009, for serious gross misconduct. Christine was provided with an avenue of Appeal against the dismissal, but she has declined to Appeal at this time and has accepted the decision.
In light of the events that have occurred, Christine Hibbert will no longer have any recognised authority to act for or on behalf of the AMA. The AMA office has now moved from 66 ChaddesdenLane, Derby, to a new location.
The AMA Executive Committee, will be re-organising the structure of the administration of the AMA to ensure that by moving forward, the interests of the members of the AMA are put first and that the AMA will continue to grow and remain one of the largest multi style associations of martial arts in the United Kingdom.
For and on behalf of the AMA Executive,
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