Reflecting on new beginnings

Scouts is all about new beginnings. We help young people start their lives filled with hope, friendship, encouragement and the skills to succeed.

I’m proud over 1,241 young people aged 4-18 (many of whom were Squirrels) joined us this year. Thank you to the tens of thousands of volunteers (and Young Leaders too, of course) who made this possible.

This year, we’ve seen other new beginnings with Dwayne Fields joining as our Chief Scout. His announcement in September 2024 was a bright moment for us as a movement. Dwayne is a wonderful friend and champion for Scouts.

Our members and commentators in the media warmly welcomed him into the role. Dwayne’s message is that Scouts is for everyone and that volunteering changes lives for the better. He’s been highly visible since then – supporting Scouts at the Cenotaph, joining hikes and meetings, and sharing our message far and wide – Not least on Boxing Day when he guest-edited the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.

We were also incredibly proud to welcome HM King Charles III as our Patron this year. This continues an unbroken line of Royal Patronage initiated by Edward VII, and continued by George V, who granted our Royal Charter in 1912. Having our monarch as our Patron instils an enormous sense of pride and connection with our nation for our young people which lasts a lifetime.

Nationally, our Board of Trustees guided Scouts through significant reflection, change and learning about safety this year. In April 2024, as part of concluding the inquest into the tragic death of an Explorer Scout, a Prevention of Future Deaths report was published. The Board accepted the coroner’s observations and responded with a set of commitments, which we’ve been delivering against to make sure the golden thread of safety runs though everything we do.

As we conclude our 2018-2025 Skills for Life strategy, we’re starting to look ahead to the next strategic period. It’s a time to reflect on the great successes we’ve had, not only over the 12 months, but since 2018. This year, we said farewell to Matt Hyde, OBE, outgoing Chief Executive who stepped down after 11 years’ dedicated service. We thank Matt for his extraordinary contribution and wish him all the best in his next chapter. We were pleased to welcome Aidan Jones, OBE as our new CEO as we look ahead to what young people will need from Scouts over the coming years.

On a personal note, there’re new beginnings for me too as I step down as Chair. I look back with pride on all we’ve achieved together since I joined in September 2021; the challenges and the highlights.

Supported by a wonderful team, I know Scouts will continue its commitment to safe Scouting for all, making sure every young person who wants to learn skills for life with Scouts, can. A very big thank you to everyone, including my fellow Trustees, who’ve supported me along the way.

You’ll take Scouts onto even bigger and better things.

Jennie Price, CBE
Chair