The KUGB operated as the British arm of the Japan Karate Association (JKA) until the death of chief instructor Keinosuke Enoeda Sensei in 2003.

[4] Subsequently, a disagreement regarding his successor resulted in the KUGB withdrawing from the JKA, with Sensei Andy Sherry being appointed Chief Instructor.

Each year the KUGB organise a number of regional and national competitions and regularly send squads to represent them at international events, winning the senior male team kumite event at the 2007 World Shotokan Karate Association Championships and European Shotokan Karate Association Championships.

The senior team retained their ESKA title in 2008 and the junior male team added to the success winning the 2008 ESKA Championships in Crawley Despite the competition successes,[7] the teaching remains traditional as originally intended by Gichin Funakoshi.

[8] As of 12 May 2024 Frank Brennan has resigned from his role of Chairman of the KUGB however he continues to be a key part of the Technical Committee.