Meet the National Honours Subgroup

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. 

'Seeing people recognised for their incredible actions from across the UK is a real privilege and I am very proud to be supporting more people get recognised in this way on the national stage.'

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.'

Graeme joined as a Cub Scout and has never left, he still enjoys Scouting as much today as he did then and is a Lead Group Volunteer in rural Northumberland.

Graeme has a passion for International Scouting and has attended several World Scout Jamboree’s.

'It is a pleasure and an honour to be a member of the National Honours Subgroup, I find that the time I give to the role fits in well with my busy lifestyle.'

'Being able to play a part in ensuring our members are recognised for their service to their Country is an immense privilege.'

‘Being a member of the National Awards Advisory Group and the National Honours Subgroup has to be one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in 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.

'Being part of the National Honours Subgroup gives me an opportunity to learn more about National Awards, and the process of being selected for them.  It's also a great opportunity to be part of a team that helps ensure our fantastic volunteers are being recognised not just with our own Scout Awards, but nationally as well.'

Erin has been involved in the Scouts at a local level in both Scotland and England since she was Explorer age, and volunteers nationally as a member of the 18-25 Role Pool.

Most recently Erin attended the 25th World Scout Jamboree as a member of the International Service Team and assisted in programme delivery in the scientific section, running activities for young people.

Outside of Scouting, Erin works as a Research Scientist and is very passionate about widening access to science education as well as scouting skills.

'I recently joined the National Honours Subgroup as I'm passionate about recognising the fantastic work our volunteers do at a national level and I'm really looking forward to getting involved.'

Graham is the former County Lead Volunteer in Cheshire where he held the role for 12 years. He has been a member of the Scouts from a child and held roles as Cubs Section Team Leader, Scout Section Team Leader and Group Lead Volunteer. He served as a member of the Operations Committee and continues to be involved in a number of national initiatives.

Professionally Graham has a number of business interests but devotes most of his time to third sector organisations, principally he is Chief Executive Officer of Cheshire Young Carers and North Wales Young Carers who support children who have caring responsibilities for parents and siblings.

As a Deputy to the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, Graham is involved in assessing submissions for National Awards in Cheshire and supporting the youth sector in the County.

'Supporting the work of National Honours Subgroup is really important to me simply because over the years, I have seen the positive impact recognition can have on individual members and just as importantly their families. As the largest youth movement in the Country, it's important that we're properly represented when the list of recipients is published for national honours. It is a privilege to read the citations and support the nominations that are submitted.'