Meet the National Awards Advisory Group

Michael's journey with the Scouts began as a Beaver, and he has since taken on roles at both local and national levels. He served on the National Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2015 and was a Trustee of Greater Manchester West Scouts until 2018. Currently, he supports Cheshire Scouts as Chair of Trustees and was a Unit Leader for the 25th World Scout Jamboree.

Professionally, Michael is an Assistant Headteacher at one of the country's largest independent day schools, overseeing Service, Outreach, and Partnership. He also supports educational visits, treks, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.

In 2022, Michael was commissioned as a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester. In this role, he supports volunteering and charitable activities in Greater Manchester, identifies worthy charities for the King's Award for Volunteering, and represents the Lord Lieutenant on behalf of His Majesty the King.

"When we make people feel proud and valued they are empowered to help even more - that's why I love my role on the National Honours Subgroup. I get to read all the amazing things that leaders and young people are doing and help local volunteers say well done or thank you. Think about the time someone thanked you? How did that make you feel? It is emotive, and rightly so."

Alan joined Scouts as a Beaver and has been a member of Scouts ever since. He's held roles across Group, District, County and National levels over the last 15 years, including roles as District 14-24 Team Member and Trustee, and is currently a Scouts Section Team Leader in Greater London South East.

Alan is a keen traveller and through International events has attended four Jamborees in different roles and led expeditions across four continents.

Professionally, Alan is Managing Director of a training company in the Utilities sector and is Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development qualified in Learning and Development.

"Being able to read and review the citations submitted to National Awards Advisory Group is hugely inspirational. To see the number of volunteers who live the Scouts Values and have subsequently delivered amazing and distinguished service in their roles, is incredible.

‘To be able to read about the amazing acts of bravery, honour and courage across our membership and to be able to recognise and reward these people is hugely important.

‘I'm grateful to be part of the team that does this. It's one of the most enjoyable roles I have had in the Scouts."

After being part of Girlguiding since the age of 4, Beth became a member of the Scouts at the age of 11. She has since progressed through Scouts and Explorers, as well as being a Beavers Section Team Member. She is now an Explorer Section Team Member in Lincolnshire. 

Beth is currently studying for a Geography with Transport degree and hopes to eventually work within the aviation sector. She enjoys travelling, learning new latte art and crocheting.

"I’m enjoying being a part of the National Awards Advisory Group because the achievements we see are so inspiring, and really highlight the dedication of those within the Scouts. It’s a great opportunity to meet and reward lots of hardworking and brave individuals.”

Cat started in the Scouts as a Beaver in 1996 and worked her way through all the sections, becoming a Cub Leader in 2008 and achieving her Queen’s Scout Award in 2015. She currently holds roles in West Lothian, Scotland, as well as being a member of the King’s Scout Working Party.

Professionally Cat has worked as a freelance stage manager in theatre for 15 years, a job which sometimes takes her all around the country and occasionally abroad too, working across plays, musicals, panto and opera, but is currently taking a step back to focus on home life, including lots of DIY and redecorating at her new home.

A crazy cat lady in training, Cat likes to make friends with cats wherever she goes, and enjoys curling up with a good book or film.

"Reading about the incredible dedication of fellow volunteers, as well as those who have shown devotion to duty, courage and bravery in their lives at the Scouts, and knowing that I can be a part of recognising them for it, is a wonderful feeling.

‘Seeing surprised smiles spread across faces of award recipients reminds me that what the National Awards Advisory Group do is so important, and hopefully inspires others to deliver that extra special level of service to the Scouts."

Catherine joined Girlguiding aged five and progressed through the sections to become an adult volunteer, before joining Scouts in 2014. Catherine currently holds a role as Cubs Section Team Leader as well as being a Group Trustee and Quartermaster.

Catherine gained her medical degree in 2017, and is now working as a GP in Derbyshire.

Catherine’s hobbies including gardening, well dressing (a traditional Derbyshire craft) and hiking, but is also always planning her next adventure.

"I joined the National Awards Advisory Group to have a chance to meet new people and see Scouts from a different perspective.

‘Being a member of the National Awards Advisory Group is really humbling, as it gives a glimpse into the dedication and courage shown by our volunteers."

Paul joined Scouts as a nervous 8-year-old Cub at 64th Birmingham - and has never really stopped. Over the years, Paul has run Cubs and Explorers at the 64th and within British Scouting Overseas, held a range of roles within Birmingham County, supported World Scout Jamborees as IST in 2019 and as a Sub Camp Lead in 2023 and led the National Memorial Arboretum’s Scouting Memorial team.

Paul is currently a co-Group Lead Volunteer at the 64th Birmingham, a co-District Lead Volunteer in Birmingham’s Sutton Coldfield West District and leads a Higher Awards expedition team. Outside of Scouts, he enjoys family adventures in the campervan with his partner, their children and their beagle, Teddy, and can often be found cheering from the sidelines at his children’s football matches.

“Being part of the National Awards Advisory Group is important to me because inclusion and fairness are at the heart of everything I do in Scouting. I am passionate about ensuring outstanding service is properly recognised, that we celebrate the people who give so much to Scouting and helping ensure it is as straightforward as possible those recognising others."

Luke has been involved with the Scouts since joining as a Beaver, working his way up through all the sections until becoming an adult volunteer. Luke has held many adult volunteering roles in support, programme, and trustee teams. He has a keen interest in recognition and has supported national honours processes regionally and now nationally. He continues to have a keen interest in encouraging young people to play more active roles in recognition processes across the organisation. 

Professionally, Luke works in community development and the charity sector and has worked as a professional fundraising manager and in community engagement to improve social well-being across South East England. 

"I’ve been a member of the National Awards Advisory Group for around two years. It’s been a brilliant experience to play a part in recognising those in Scouting that have given so much to young people.

‘No one volunteers for the awards but it is a privilege to be involved in celebrating the achievements of many throughout the UK from all walks of life."

Oliver has been involved with the scouts since joining as a Beaver, working his way up through all the sections until becoming an adult volunteer in March 2023. To follow his family tradition, he completed his King's Scout Award in 2023, being one of the first in his county to do so.

Oliver is the current Digital Team Leader for his home district in Greater Manchester and is also a scout section team member in Huddersfield South East, where he studies music at the University of Huddersfield.

In his spare time, Oliver sings with the Halle Choir and Orchestra in Manchester. This provides him with amazing opportunities such as performing in concert halls across the country with internationally renound Soloists, Conductors and Orchestras.

"I applied for the opportunity to Join the NAAG as I personally felt it is important to be able to recognise our volunteers for all the hard work and dedication to our movement and what better way to be part of this process than at a national level."

Kester joined Scouts in her teens when her local group needed some help in the Cub pack for a few weeks...and just over 30 years later, she hasn’t left! Kester’s had a role in that same Group ever since, from section leadership to (what was then called) Group Scout Leader, and trustee. Kester has also held several UK headquarters roles since 2010, and was part of the Contingent Management Team for the 2019 and 2023 World Scout Jamborees. Kester feels privileged to experience so much from being a Scout, but most importantly, to see so many young people develop those vital personal skills that equip them for life,

"I am passionate about several things in life, including fairness, ensuring processes are known, understood and followed, and wider recognition of the benefits of volunteering. As a part of  the National Awards Advisory Group, I can advocate for these things for others in Scouting."