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.
National Level – United Kingdom
- 2014-present 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)
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
World Level
- 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
