Dear All

As I prepare to formally take up the role of County Commissioner on the 9th May, I am working on putting my team in place, and I am pleased to announce that Steve Smith will take up the new role of Deputy County Commissioner for Operations.

This will mean that Steve stands down as District Commissioner for Cabot on the 9th May, allowing for a short handover period with the current Deputy County Commissioners (Clare and Graham) to run alongside my own transition period with Neil Salter.  At the same time, I have asked that the search processes for the DC roles in Cabot, and Brunel which Clare has been covering, begin straight away.  You will receive more information about these opportunities separately in the usual way.  The DC responsibilities will remain where they are until 9^th May.

Clare and Graham have done an enormous amount as Deputy County Commissioners in Avon and I would like to invite you to join me in thanking them.  They have kindly agreed to work alongside Steve during this handover period to assist him as he gets up to speed with his new role.

As Deputy County Commissioner for Operations, Steve will be responsible to me for overseeing and supporting the work of our Groups and Districts, and managing the County’s activities to support outstanding Scouting across Avon.  Steve will play a key role in helping me, with the District Commissioners, to shape and communicate our vision and strategy to expand outstanding Scouting.   He will help me to ensure that all of the work which the County is doing actively supports our members as we work together to achieve our goals.

Steve is 33, and has been a Scout since joining Beavers in Birmingham at the age of 6.  He has run Scout Troops and Explorer Scout Units in Birmingham, Worcestershire, Manchester and Avon, before becoming District Commissioner of Cabot District in 2008.  Alongside this, he served as the Elected Youth Representative for Greater Manchester East County, and has been a member of the Queens Scout Working Party (a national Active Support Unit) for 13 years. Through Scouting, Steve has always enjoyed outdoor activities, particularly caving, climbing, kayaking and hiking, and holds permits for hill walking and climbing.  He remains actively involved in Cabot’s training team for the Ten Tors challenge.  Outside Scouting, Steve is the Chief Executive of Young Bristol, a youth work charity.  He lives in Westbury on Trym with his wife and two young children.

I am sure you will wish to join me in wishing Steve well as he takes up this new role.  Please be flexible and patient during the handover period so that we can ensure as smooth a transition to the new arrangements as possible.  Until the 9th May, continue to direct any Programme or Support enquiries to Clare and Graham who will field these as appropriate. Steve will be in touch directly in due course to explain more about his role and how this fits with the overall direction we are taking.

Yours in Scouting,

Dan Wood

County Commissioner (designate)