Chief Scout (United Kingdom)

The Scout Association's Chief Scout is the head of its youth programmes. The role is now merely a nominal and titular ceremonial figurehead. The association's present Chief Scout is the British adventurer and TV presenter Bear Grylls.

Robert Baden-Powell made himself Chief Scout of his own Scouting organization, The Boy Scouts Association. Following his death, the association appointed Chief Scouts "of the British Empire", then "of the British Commonwealth and Empire", then "of the Commonwealth" and, since 1972, "of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories".

The association's first Chief Scout, Robert Baden-Powell made himself the Chief Scout and chairman for life. The association's charter and bye laws made no provision for his removal, retirement or the appointment of a successor in either role. The association's subsequent Chief Scouts have been appointed by its Council, which Council elects its own members including office bearers, while others are appointed by the Board of Trustees (formerly Committee of the Council), with others nominated as representatives from councils around the United Kingdom (the majority of whose members are appointed by the Board or Headquarters) and overseas branches controlled by Headquarters.

Once the powerful leader of the association, the role of the association's Chief Scout was fundamentally diminished when the holder ceased to also be chairman of the Committee of the Council (now Board of Trustees) following Baden-Powell's death in 1941. Baden-Powell had made himself Chief Scout and chairman for life but, upon his death, the committee determined that it had the power to appoint subsequent Chief Scouts and chairmen. Not only were the roles separated but the committee assumed power over the roles. The role was further diminished with appointments of Chief Scouts for limited terms and diminished further still in 2009 with the functions split with the appointment of a UK Chief Commissioner (Deputy Chief Scout). The UK Chief Commissioner took over most of the administrative duties and now heads the adult leaders and administrators of the association. Reducing the capacity of the Chief Scout to make decision on their own, a committee was appointed to work alongside them. Working alongside the association Chief Scout's Committee, the association's Chief Scout is nominally responsible for the appointment of County Commissioners and County Presidents. but this is merely ceremonially formal. The association's Chief Scout is now merely an iconic figurehead for publicity promotion of the association's youth programmes.

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