I am very pleased to announce that after an extensive and comprehensive national volunteer appointment process, Steve Thomas has accepted the role of County Commissioner for Birmingham Scout County effective from 1st August 2022.

I would like to thank Andrew Lloyd for 4 years service as Deputy County Commissioner, and just over 8 years as County Commissioner supporting Britain’s 2nd city’s community and young people focussed Scouting opportunities for over a decade and making the #Skills4Life strategy a reality.

Andrew has steered Birmingham Scouts through the exceptional challenges presented by the pandemic COVID-19 and has led Birmingham’s plan to deliver new provision in less well served communities. Thank you for your tireless enthusiasm and can-do approach.

We are particularly grateful that as well as leading Birmingham County, Andrew has spearheaded a number of #Skills4Life projects that have spanned both the West Midlands Region such as the iMOVEIT leadership development programme for 18-25 year olds, and influenced the new early years provision for 4 – 6 year olds (Squirrels) throughout UK Scouting. In stepping down from his Birmingham role, I am pleased to report that Andrew has been appointed Assistant Chief Commissioner of England (Volunteer Development) which will enable even more communities to benefit from his wisdom and experience.

Andrew is already in discussion with Steve regarding handover and continuing support over the next month which again I would like to thank him for.
Steve Thomas is well known to members as one of Birmingham’s Deputy County Commissioners where he’s been responsible for numerous Programme initiatives in the County ranging from on-line support through to face-to-face Scouting experiences, locally, nationally and internationally.

Steve will be spending the summer meeting both County, District and Group members at various up-and-coming events and generally getting to know people in his new role as CC before he confirms his County team and the future support structure of Birmingham Scout County to deliver his vision for the future.

Please join me in both congratulating Steve, and thanking Andrew for his service, as I am sure we all wish both Steve and Andrew well in their new Scouting chapters and will give them our generous support through this period of transition.