Meet the UK Programme Delivery Team

The UK Programme Delivery Team are here to support you.

We've now put together the current team, and wanted to share with you a bit more about who's who.

Our focus on the Programme team is:

• Giving better programme delivery support 
• Increasing the number of young people gaining Top Awards though offering a quality programme
• Increasing and supporting Nights Away and adventure
• The roll-out of Squirrels 
• Supporting and growing Young Leaders
• Increasing social action in our communities meaning we as Scouts are leaving a lasting impact

Here's a little more about the team.

Ollie Smith, Deputy UK Commissioner for Programme (Delivery) 

Email: Ollie.Smith@scouts.org.uk

I truly believe that Scouts plays a massive part in changing the world for good. I’m so excited by everything we do in Scouts.

As volunteers, we maybe just muck in and give it our best *Bear Grylls voice* Never Give Up attitude so we don’t actually see the true impact we have on society and our young people.

The fact is we enable young people with skills, memories and friends that will stay with them for their life and which will influence their life and the choices they make in the world. That’s us that helps make that happen and I think that’s very cool.

I've been privileged to have many experiences and roles within Scouts, from being a young person attending international events in Japan and South Africa, to being an adult volunteer in Suffolk, a Sea Scout leader, and a World Scout Jamboree Unit Leader. I’ve gone on to County roles such as County Youth Commissioner and Deputy County Commissioner, and in recent years been an HQ volunteer as the Deputy UK Youth Commissioner.

Professionally I decided to change career and dig deep into my values of what I want to do which is to help people, so I'm now training to be a nurse based in Merseyside. Now I have this exciting role leading an amazing team of overseeing the sections and Community Impact. 

Rachel Beyer, Assistant UK Commissioner for Programme – Squirrel Scouts 

Email: Rachel.Beyer@scouts.org.uk

I've actively supported our local Scout group for over 20 years. Last year I became a Squirrels Cohort Coach and more recently have become Assistant County Commissioner, Squirrels. 

I've been working in education for 22 years. I've worked with all ages from EYFS to adult training and development.

I have experience of managing change across large organisations, of staff training and development, and programme development and support. I'm looking forward to using these transferable skills with Scouts, enabling young people to acquire Skills for Life!

Laura English-Rose, Assistant UK Commissioner for Programme – Beaver Scouts  

Email: Laura.English-Rose@scouts.org.uk

I am new to Scouts but am an experienced volunteering manager for a large children's charity.

I'm really excited to get involved and looking forward to contributing to the impact Scouts has on young people, helping to enable more young people to have great experiences with Scouts.

I'm passionate about helping volunteers to have great experiences and hope to use my professional experience to achieve this.

Matthew Longden, Assistant UK Commissioner for Programme – Cub Scouts 

Email: Matthew.Longden@scouts.org.uk

I've been involved in Scouts since being a Beaver Scout and progressed through each section, having fun and adventure along the way! I thoroughly enjoyed completing my Young Leader role which inspired me to continue to help young people have fantastic experiences.  

I'm a Geography teacher at a secondary school, where I am able to continue my work with young people to help them have a fantastic start to life and set them up for their future pathway.  

My desire to travel and broaden my experiences is what I share with young people to inspire them further. I am passionate about helping young people have unique adventures where they can grow and develop in a fun and safe environment. I want to use my professional and voluntary skill set to help more of our young people achieve their potential. 

Siân Telfer, Assistant UK Commissioner for Programme – Scouts  

Email: Sian.Telfer@scouts.org.uk

I've been involved with Scouting for over 20 years and during that time I've supported Cubs, Scouts and Explorers sections in a range of different capacities at Group, District and County levels. 

Outside of Scouting I work supporting young people who are affected by domestic violence and delivering training for other professionals who interact with young people to help them to better support families affected by these issues. 

Nikki Parr, Assistant UK Commissioner for Programme – Explorer Scouts  

Email: Nikki.Parr@scouts.org.uk

I've been involved in Scouts as a youth member when I joined as Venture Scout at the age of 14 and I've had the privilege to hold a number of roles in the North West region such as Deputy County Commissioner for programme in Merseyside, as well as going to the 24th World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia.

Professionally I am a Team Manager for a safeguarding team in Children’s Services.   

I’m really looking forward to supporting so many volunteers, understanding how we as a UK Programme team can help and support better and of course increase the quality of the programme making sure young people gain their top awards recognising their Skills for life. 

Megan Richardson, Assistant UK Commissioner for Programme – Scout Network  

Email: Megan.Richardson@scouts.org.uk

I loved the Scouts programme and went on to be a Young leader, helping with the Beavers and Scout section and going on to hold leader roles with Beavers, Cubs and Explorers, as well as supporting different sections.  

I'm also a RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Senior Dinghy Instructor allowing me  to run and support water activities for people to gain new skills and interests. I enjoy being outside and on the water in my spare time. 

Professionally I am a secondary school teacher in Essex. I’m looking forward to and to support more volunteers and am excited to take on this exciting role. 

Nirav Patel, Assistant UK Commissioner for Programme – Young Leaders  

Email: Nirav.Patel@scouts.org.uk

I joined the movement as a Cub Scout at the age of eight and have enjoyed the adventure ever since! My most memorable moments as a young person have been becoming a Queen's Scout and carrying the Olympic torch as a torchbearer for the London 2012 Olympics.  

I was previously a County Youth Commissioner and an Assistant District Commissioner (Growth & Development) before recently becoming a Deputy County Commissioner, District Explorer Scout Commissioner and Deputy Group Scout leader.  

In my professional life, I'm currently studying to become an architect at Cardiff University.  

Rob Murray, Assistant UK Commissioner for Programme – Community Impact  

Email: Rob.Murray@scouts.org.uk

As part of this role I provide support and guidance to the Community Impact Group.