Chief Scout (The Scout Association)

The Scout Association’s Chief Scout is its nominal head of its youth programmes. The association typically appoints a well-known public figure as a role model for young participants in its youth programmes, for a five-year tenure. Since September 2024, The Scout Association’s Chief Scout has been the British adventurer and TV presenter Dwayne Fields.

History Following the rapid development of the Scout Movement from 1907, Robert Baden-Powell formed his Scout organisation, The Boy Scouts Association in 1910 and made himself its Chief Scout and chairman for life. Following his death, the association appointed its Chief Scouts of the British Empire, then of the British Commonwealth and Empire, then of the Commonwealth and, since 1972, of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories. Association's Chief Scouts of the British Empire and Commonwealth No.NamePortraitTitleTenure1Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-PowellThe association's Chief Scout of the British Empire1910 – 8 January 19412Arthur Somers-Cocks, 6th Baron SomersThe association's Chief Scout of the British EmpireMarch 1942 – April 19453Thomas Corbett, 2nd Baron RowallanThe association's Chief Scout of the British Commonwealth and EmpireApril 1945 – September 19594Sir Charles Maclean, later Lord MacleanThe association's Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and CommonwealthSeptember 1959 – September 1971 (continued as the association's Commonwealth Chief Scout until August 1975)

Association's Chief Scouts of the United Kingdom and overseas territories No.NamePortraitTenure1Sir William GladstoneJuly 1972 – February 19822Major-General Michael J. H. WalshFebruary 1982 – May 19883Sir Garth MorrisonMay 1988 – March 19964George PurdyMarch 1996 – 5 September 20045Peter Duncan5 September 2004 – 11 July 20096Bear Grylls11 July 2009 – 5 September 20247Dwayne Fields5 September 2024 – present

Appointment The association's first Chief Scout, Robert Baden-Powell, made himself the Chief Scout and chairman for life. The association's charter and by-laws made no provision for his removal, retirement or the appointment of a successor in either role. The association's subsequent Chief Scouts have been appointed by its council, which council elects its own members including office bearers, while others are appointed by the board of trustees (formerly committee of the council), with others nominated as representatives from councils around the United Kingdom (the majority of whose members are appointed by the board or headquarters) and overseas branches controlled by headquarters.

Changed role Once the powerful leader of the association, the role of the association's Chief Scout was fundamentally diminished when the holder ceased to also be chairman of the Committee of the Council (now Board of Trustees), following Baden-Powell's death in 1941. Baden-Powell had made himself Chief Scout and chairman for life but, upon his death, the committee determined that it had the power to appoint subsequent Chief Scouts and chairmen. Not only were the roles separated but the committee assumed power over the roles. The role was further diminished with appointments of Chief Scouts for limited terms and diminished further still in 2009 with the functions split with the appointment of a UK chief commissioner (deputy chief scout). The UK chief commissioner (later called UK chief volunteer) took over most of the administrative duties and now heads the adult leaders and administrators of the association.

Reducing the capacity of the Chief Scout to make decisions on their own, a committee was appointed to work alongside them. Working alongside the association Chief Scout's Committee, the association's Chief Scout is nominally responsible for the appointment of County Commissioners and County Presidents, but this is merely ceremonially formal. The Scout Association's Chief Scout is no longer a voting member of its Board of Trustees. The association's Chief Scout is now merely an iconic figurehead for publicity promotion of the association's youth programmes.

Deputy chief scouts, otherwise UK Chief Commissioners; later UK Chief Volunteers No.NamePortraitTenure1Wayne Bulpitt CBE May 2009 – August 20162Tim Kidd OBE August 2016 – September 20213Carl HankinsonScouts.org.uk - UK Chief Volunteertitle changed to UK Chief Volunteer September 2021 –

Awards Each section of The Scout Association has an award nominally given on behalf of the association's Chief Scout; in Squirrels, the award is the Chief Scout's Acorn Award, in Beavers, the award is the Chief Scout's Bronze Award, in Cubs it is the Chief Scout's Silver Award, in Scouts it is the Chief Scout's Gold Award and in Explorers, the Chief Scout's Platinum and Diamond Awards. The only award higher than this is the King's Scout Award.

Chief Scout (The Scout Association)

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