Welcoming two new members to the UK Leadership Team
Following two successful competitive search processes, we’re delighted to recruit two new volunteers into our UK Leadership Team. UK Chief Volunteer Carl Hankinson is delighted to announce the appointment of Rebecca Armstrong as the new UK Lead Volunteer for Inclusion and Rob Murray as the new Chief Volunteer for International.
Rebecca Armstrong, UK Lead Volunteer for Inclusion
Rebecca joins the team to help support all our volunteers across the movement to become more inclusive and create a welcoming environment for all, where people from all backgrounds can be themselves and thrive. Rebecca will lead our UK Inclusion Team, who are a passionate group of volunteers who help all levels of UK Scouts to embed inclusion in all that we do.
Rebecca’s Scouts journey
Rebecca is a mother and has volunteered locally in Durham as a Squirrel Team Leader and Beaver Team Member.
Her passion for inclusion comes from her lived experience of living with Multiple Sclerosis and Neurodiversity, and the impact it has had on her own volunteering experience in Scouts. Rebecca is also the Lead for Inclusion within her County.
Outside of Scouts
Professionally, Rebecca has spoken at TED and worked with global organisations to build inclusive cultures, as well as working as a coach and facilitator to help individuals overcome marginalisation and thrive.
She has a wealth of experience, holding qualifications in Human Resources, Leadership, Coaching and Psychotherapy.
Rebecca has also held Trustee roles at the County Durham Community Foundation and MS-UK.
I am delighted to be joining the UK team as Lead Volunteer for Inclusion. Together with the amazing team of volunteers working both at a UK level but also within our county teams I am excited to help the movement continue to be a place for young people and adult volunteers to have new experiences, challenge themselves and develop skills for life. Inclusion is a key enabler of this and together we can build on the excellent work already being done and challenge ourselves to be even better.
Rebecca Armstrong, UK Lead Volunteer for Inclusion
Rob Murray, Chief Volunteer for International
We welcome Rob to the UK Leadership Team as he takes up this important leadership role for UK Scouts. As Chief Volunteer for International, Rob will work with the Chief Volunteering Officer and other senior staff colleagues to provide strategic volunteer leadership for UK Scouting’s international relationships, including engagement with the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), National Scout Organisations, the European Region, and other international partners. He will also oversee the UK’s approach to delivering the international component of the Scout programme for young people.
Rob’s Scouts journey
Rob joined the movement as a Beaver Scout and has been volunteering for over 17 years. His roles have spanned local and national levels, including District Commissioner, Manager and Supporter Trainer, Community Impact Team Lead, and Deputy Contingent Leader for the 25th World Scout Jamboree in South Korea in 2023.
His international experiences are varied, including a long-standing exchange with Scouts from Bydgoszcz, Poland, lasting nearly 15 years, being part of an expedition team to Uganda where they built a school, serving as a Unit Leader at the 24th World Scout Jamboree, attending the Danish Jamboree in 2019, and representing the UK at the 2023 World Scout Educational Congress and 2024 World Scout Conference. Notably, he successfully supported the election of Callum Kaye to the World Scout Committee earlier in the summer.
Rob is passionate about the global Scout movement and is driven by a desire to ensure every young person has the opportunity to engage in an age-appropriate international programme.
Outside of Scouts
Professionally, Rob is the Director for Scotland at the British Red Cross, where he leads the team that supports people in times of crisis.
I’m deeply honoured to be the UK’s link to our worldwide movement that empowers young people to be ‘ready for life.’ Scouting develops resilience, leadership, and the values that unite us all as global citizens. Together, we’re building a generation that understands the power of global collaboration in making the world a better place. Under my leadership, the International Team will support initiatives to ensure every young person has the opportunity to take part in international experiences.
Rob Murray, Chief Volunteer for International
We’re delighted to appoint both Rebecca and Rob to our UK Leadership Team in these important roles for our members and our ambitions within Scouts. Both will play a huge role in how we can offer more exciting opportunities for our young people.
Carl Hankinson, UK Chief Volunteer