District Team

Ant’s role as Lead Volunteer means he is responsible for supporting volunteers across the District to deliver great experiences for our young people. Ant helps set our district’s goals, makes sure we’re safe, inclusive and well-run, and works with and co-ordinates the district team to grow and develop Scouting locally.

Ant joined Croydon Scouting as one of Croydon’s first Beaver Scouts in the 80’s and hasn’t left yet! Alongside leading Croydon District, Ant helps coordinate international activities within GLSW and is the Group Lead Volunteer for 29th Purley. Outside of Scouting Ant enjoys travelling with his wife and daughter, and is Chief Technology Officer for a large group of UK healthcare businesses.

Aiden makes sure young people have a voice in everything we do. Aiden works alongside volunteers to shape our programme, champion youth involvement, and help ensure our decisions reflect the views and ideas of young people across the District.

Aiden joined Scouting when he was 6 and has been involved since! Alongside supprting youth-led scouting in Croydon, Aiden is a Beaver leader and Cub leader at 1st Purley scout group. Outside of Scouting, Aiden is involved with CODA and the RAF Air Cadets and oversees a chain of cafes.

Chris supports our programme team in helping our volunteers plan and deliver fun, safe and high-quality programmes across the District. They help share ideas, resources and training so every section can offer young people skills for life.

Richard champions Scouts for 14–24 year-olds, supporting Explorer Scout Units and the Scout Network. The 14-24 team help young people shape their own programme, access top awards, and connect with opportunities beyond the District.

Kate and the volunteering development team focus on making volunteering with Scouts easy, enjoyable and rewarding. The team lead on welcoming new volunteers, supporting training and recognition, and helping people find roles that suit their skills and time.

As a toddler Kate attended Guide activities with her mum, but joined Scouting as a Venture Scout at the Eastern Croydon VSU (Pinewood), later becoming a leader at the 28th Croydon. When her own daughters were toddlers she took on District roles with the Young Leaders and as Scout Active Support Manager and she’s now Group Lead Volunteer at the 16th Purley (7th Sanderstead).

Outside of Scouting Kate enjoys travelling, and making plans for travelling with her daughters and partner Chris, gardening, kitchen discos and dog walks and fits in a full time job as a Speech and Language Therapist working with adults who have had brain injuries.

Kirsten and the support team make sure our District runs smoothly behind the scenes. They oversee areas like safety, compliance, administration and IT/communications, so our section volunteers can focus on giving young people great experiences.

Bernie leads the Trustee Board, making sure it works well as a team to support Scouting across the District. The trustees oversee governance, ensure we meet our legal responsibilities, and provide guidance so volunteers can focus on delivering great programmes.

John manages the District’s finances, ensuring we have clear records and helping the Trustee Board make good financial decisions. The trustees ensure funds are used responsibly, support budgeting and planning, and help keep Scouting sustainable for the future.

John joined the 68th Croydon (St. Alban’s) in Thornton Heath as a Wolf Cub in 1965/66 and went on to be their Scout Leader and Group Scout Leader before becoming ADC Leader Training, and District Commissioner for North Croydon. When Croydon’s districts came together, John held the post of ADC Leader Training and ADC General Duties in Croydon.

John’s other roles include fielding all inquiries received through the district website, chairing the District’s Awards Committee and that of District Archivist. John also volunteers frequently as a member of the Bears Wood site time.
Professionally John’s working life has been spent in banking and insurance.