I have been involved in Scouting since joining my local Cub Scout Pack in 1983. I progressed through the Cub Scout, Scout and Venture Scout Sections where I achieved both the Queen’s Scout Award and Explorer Belt. I became an Assistant Venture Scout Leader in 1995 and then Assistant Area Commissioner for Venture Scouts in Edinburgh. After that, I became the first Area Scout Network Commissioner in Edinburgh. During the same period, I first became involved with the work of Scottish Headquarters and UK Headquarters in a number of different capacities.
Having always had an interest in the international dimension of Scouting, I have participated in and been involved in organising a significant number of international activities. I was a member of The Scout Association’s International Team from 2001 to 2007 and briefly again in 2013 as Deputy International Commissioner.
World Level
- 2017-2021, Chairperson, World Scout Committee
- 2017-2021, Member, World Scout Foundation Board, (ex-officio)
- 2017-2021, Member, WAGGGS WOSM Consultative Committee
- 2014-2017, Member, World Scout Committee
- 2014-2017, Chairperson, Strategy Monitoring Group
- 2014-2017, Chairperson, 2nd World Scout Education Congress Planning Team
- 2016, Member, Secretary General Search and Selection Task Force
- 2014-2017, Member, Innovating Scouting Workstream
- 2011-2013, Member, Global Support Team
- 2011-2013, Member, Membership Task Force
- 2007-2013, Member, World Scout Committee (ex-officio)
- 2007-2010, Member, Budget Committee
- 2005-2008, Member, 2007 Task Force
- 2005-2007, Member, Adult Volunteer Task Team
- 2005-2007, Member, Educational Methods Committee
- 2004-2007, Youth Advisor, World Scout Committee
- 2004-2005, 9th World Scout Youth Forum Planning Team
Regional Level – Europe
- 2010-2013, Chairperson, European Scout Committee
- 2007-2010, Chairperson, European Scout Committee
- 2004-2007, Member, European Scout Committee (co-opted)
- 2004-2007, Coordinator, Adult Resources Core Group
National Level – United Kingdom
- 2021-present, Deputy UK Chief Commissioner (UK Headquarters)
- 2014-2017, UK Commissioner for Programme (UK Headquarters)
- 2013-2014, Deputy International Commissioner (UK Headquarters)
- 2012-2013, Chairperson, Governance Working Group (Scottish Headquarters)
- 2002-2003, UK Contingent Leader, Roverway 2003, Portugal
- 2001-2007, Area Scout Network Commissioner (Edinburgh)
- 2001-2007, Member, International Team (UK Headquarters)
- 2000-2004, Chairperson, UK-Poland Network
- 1997-1998, National Communications Manager, Scout Network (UK Headquarters)
- 1995-2001, Assistant Venture Scout Leader (Edinburgh)
- 1994-1998, Member, 18-25 Working Group (UK Headquarters)
- 1993-1994, Member, National Venture Scout Advisory Board (UK Headquarters)
- 1993-1994, Member, Finance and General Purposes (Scottish Headquarters)
- 1993-1994, Member, Scottish Board (Scottish Headquarters)
- 1993-1994, Chairperson, Scottish Venture Scout Council (Scottish Headquarters)
