Introducing our new President

September 4, 2017

I am delighted to announce that John May has agreed to become British Scouting Overseas first ever President.

John is the Secretary General of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation and Chair of Trustees for Oxfordshire County Scouts. He has spent his career working with and for young people in the UK and around the world.

John became a Scout when he was 11 and he has worked with every Section. He has been: DC; Trustee of the Scout Association; International Commissioner for the UK; UK Chairman of Programme & Development; Member of the World Scout Committee – he served six years on the World Scout Committee, three as Vice Chair and he is currently WOSM’s lead volunteer for human rights education.

In 2015 John was awarded the Silver Wolf by the UK Scout Association and in 2016 the World Scout Committee awarded him the Bronze Wolf.

British Scouting Overseas is one of the most diverse and fastest growing Areas of the UK Scout Association and John’s wealth of knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we continue on our international journey, delivering exciting and challenging programmes for young people.

John describes himself as “mischief maker and habitual chocolate cake eater” – ideally suited for BSO! If you want to find out more then see John’s Blog www.johnccmay.net

I am looking forward to working with John as we continue to develop BSO.

Peter Dawes
Area Commissioner

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I'm delighted to share the news that Theo Lasar has been appointed as our BSO Youth Lead. Theo will succeed Charlotte, who has given outstanding service as our BSO Youth Lead since 2022, at our AGM during Gilwell Reunion in September. Theo brings has a background of scouting within BSO having started as a Beaver in Telstar, going through all the sections locally in Luxembourg before joining Scout Network last year. On his appointment Theo says, "Having served as Deputy District Youth Lead for Northern Europe over the past year, I have had the opportunity to work alongside District Youth Teams, volunteers and, most importantly, Young People across BSO. As BSO Youth Lead, I look forward to building on that experience by working with the Leadership Team, District Youth Teams and Young People across the Area to continue strengthening youth-shaped Scouting and creating more opportunities for young people to shape their own Scouting experience." The BSO Youth Lead role helps to champion youth voice across Scouts, lead our Youth Team across BSO and contributes to BSO-level decision making as a member of our BSO Leadership Team and BSO Board of Trustees.. The role also supports us to deliver our strategic priorities, and we're confident Theo is the best person to help us do this. He is passionate about giving all young people a place to belong, delivering our strategy to 2035. We're incredibly thankful for everything Charlotte has done for BSO during her term in the role and look forward to celebrating her achievements in the future. We wish Theo every success in his new role Graham Eden BSO Lead Volunteer