Chief Scout (United Kingdom)
Encyclopedia
The Chief Scout is the head of The Scout Association
. The post originated with the appointment of Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
, the founder of the Scout Movement, as Chief Scout. He was designated Chief Scout of the World in 1920 at the first World Scout Jamboree
in Olympia, London
. Following his death, Chief Scouts were appointed for the British Empire, then the British Commonwealth and Empire, then the Commonwealth, and finally for the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories. The current Chief Scout is the British adventurer and TV presenter Bear Grylls
.
, and is therefore the leader of Scouting for all groups within the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories which fall under that organisation. The role of the Chief Scout when Baden-Powell started the Scouting programme in 1908 was to promote the policies and benefits of Scouting and to determine the direction in which Scouting will function. The role of the Chief Scout was changed fundamentally in 2009 with the appointment of Bear Grylls
. The position was split and the appointment UK Chief Commissioner was created. The Chief Commissioner took over most of the administrative duties and now leads the adult members of the association. The Chief Scout would continue as the visible head of the association and still has key roles within Scouting in the UK.
The Chief Scout is appointed by The Council of The Scout Association, which consists of nominated representatives from around the country. Working alongside the Chief Scout's Committee, the Chief Scout is responsible for the appointment of County Commissioners and County Presidents.
Award.
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
. The post originated with the appointment of Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, Bt, OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB , also known as B-P or Lord Baden-Powell, was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer, and founder of the Scout Movement....
, the founder of the Scout Movement, as Chief Scout. He was designated Chief Scout of the World in 1920 at the first World Scout Jamboree
World Scout Jamboree
The World Scout Jamboree is a Scouting jamboree of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, typically attended by several tens of thousands of Scouts from around the world, aged 14 to 17....
in Olympia, London
Olympia, London
Olympia is an exhibition centre and conference centre in West Kensington, on the boundary between The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham, London, W14 8UX, England. It opened in the 19th century and was originally known as the National Agricultural Hall.Opened in 1886,...
. Following his death, Chief Scouts were appointed for the British Empire, then the British Commonwealth and Empire, then the Commonwealth, and finally for the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories. The current Chief Scout is the British adventurer and TV presenter Bear Grylls
Bear Grylls
Edward Michael "Bear" Grylls is an English adventurer, writer and television presenter. He is best known for his television series Man vs. Wild, known as Born Survivor in the United Kingdom...
.
Role of the Chief Scout
The Chief Scout is the head of The Scout AssociationThe Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
, and is therefore the leader of Scouting for all groups within the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories which fall under that organisation. The role of the Chief Scout when Baden-Powell started the Scouting programme in 1908 was to promote the policies and benefits of Scouting and to determine the direction in which Scouting will function. The role of the Chief Scout was changed fundamentally in 2009 with the appointment of Bear Grylls
Bear Grylls
Edward Michael "Bear" Grylls is an English adventurer, writer and television presenter. He is best known for his television series Man vs. Wild, known as Born Survivor in the United Kingdom...
. The position was split and the appointment UK Chief Commissioner was created. The Chief Commissioner took over most of the administrative duties and now leads the adult members of the association. The Chief Scout would continue as the visible head of the association and still has key roles within Scouting in the UK.
The Chief Scout is appointed by The Council of The Scout Association, which consists of nominated representatives from around the country. Working alongside the Chief Scout's Committee, the Chief Scout is responsible for the appointment of County Commissioners and County Presidents.
Awards
Each section of the Scout Association has an award meant to come from the Chief Scout; in Beavers, the award is the Chief Scout's Bronze Award, in Cubs it is Silver, in Scouts it is Gold and in Explorers, Platinum and Diamond. The only award higher than this is the Queen's ScoutQueen's Scout
The Queen's Scout Award is the highest youth award achievable in the Scouting movement in several countries. It is awarded in realms of the Commonwealth, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand where the Scouts operate under the ceremonial leadership of the monarch.The...
Award.
List of Chief Scouts
- Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-PowellRobert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-PowellRobert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell, Bt, OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB , also known as B-P or Lord Baden-Powell, was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, writer, and founder of the Scout Movement....
, died January 8, 1941 - Arthur Somers-Cocks, 6th Baron SomersArthur Somers-Cocks, 6th Baron SomersLieutenant-Colonel Arthur Herbert Tennyson Somers-Cocks, 6th Baron Somers, KCMG, DSO, MC , son of Herbert Haldane Somers-Cocks by Blanche Margaret Standish Clogstoun...
, March 1942, Chief Scout of the British Empire - Thomas Corbett, 2nd Baron RowallanThomas Corbett, 2nd Baron RowallanThomas Godfrey Polson Corbett, 2nd Baron Rowallan, KT, KBE, MC, TD , had a distinguished military career, was Chief Scout of the British Commonwealth and Empire and Governor of Tasmania.-Early life:...
, April, 1945, Chief Scout of the British Commonwealth and Empire - Sir Charles Maclean, later Lord Maclean, September 1959, Chief Scout of the Commonwealth. He resigned as Chief Scout of the UK in September 1971, but continued as Chief Scout of the Commonwealth until August, 1975
- Sir William Gladstone, July 1972, Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories
- Major-General Michael J. H. WalshMichael J. H. WalshMajor-General Michael John Hatley Walsh CB DSO was a senior British Army officer and the Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories between 1982 and 1988.-Education:...
, February 1982. Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories - Sir Garth MorrisonGarth MorrisonSir William Garth Morrison, was the Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories from 1988 to 1996. He also spent twelve years in the Royal Navy.- Education and Military service :...
, May 1988, Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories - George PurdyGeorge PurdyGeorge Purdy, CBE was Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories and head of the Scout Association from March 1996 to 2004. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire "for services to young people" in the 2002 Queen's New Year Honours list. Purdy was also the first...
, March 1996, Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories - Peter DuncanPeter Duncan (actor)Peter Duncan is a British actor and television presenter, best known as a former presenter of Blue Peter and for his later family travel documentaries.-Education:...
, July 2004, Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories - Bear GryllsBear GryllsEdward Michael "Bear" Grylls is an English adventurer, writer and television presenter. He is best known for his television series Man vs. Wild, known as Born Survivor in the United Kingdom...
, 11 July 2009, Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories
External links
- Meet the Chiefs
- The Passing Years - Milestones in the progress of Scouting.