Energising UK WSF Engagements
Our Foundation Board and Committee members came together, 1–3 May, for bi-annual meetings and engagement activities in Egham, a town west of central London, in the United Kingdom. Forty volunteers were joined by UK BP Fellows and international BP Fellows with ties to the local area, along with prospective supporters of World Scouting and our small staff team for a stunning Gala Dinner, a Friends of Scouting dinner and additional activities.
Sub-committee meetings
Our governance (Investment, Audit and Oversight) and four fundraising Committees engaged in multiple sessions on the afternoon of 1 May and on 2 May, prior to the 79th Meeting of the Foundation Board.
The schedule included two joint meetings of all volunteers to share progress and plan for opportunities ahead. These meetings focused on the changing landscape in charitable giving, the joint fundraising activities underway with the World Scout Bureau and World Scouting’s priorities for the next three years, and an update on proposed amendments to the structure of the Sub-committees as well as proposed revisions to the Foundation’s recognition model.
79th Board Meeting
The Foundation Board met on 3 May, under the leadership of our Chair, Rob Woolford, and our Honorary Chairman, HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, to make strategic decisions and discuss our investments, annual audit, oversight, World Scouting's activity report, approval of the WOSM annual grant, and upcoming engagement and fundraising events.
Amongst many highlights from the Board Meeting, we’re pleased to report that:
- Our Board discussed and celebrated the recent renewal of the Messengers of Peace fund, noting sincere thanks to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all those who had supported this milestone renewal. Discussions focused on planning, alongside representatives of World Scouting on the Foundation Board, for the upcoming implementation phases.
- World Scouting colleagues delivered a dynamic and detailed report on the use of the 2024–2025 annual operational grant.
- The Board received an update on planned events, including the preparations for our 77th BP Fellowship Event in Kuala Lumpur, 23–26 October 2025, which will take place in the presence of our Honorary Chairman. A vibrant programme is in the process of being finalised with the great support of the Malaysia Scouts and our Board Member Soo Keng Yeoh, and registration will open in June.
The Board meeting concluded with a special presentation to Board Member Siegfried Weiser, by World Scouting representatives on the Foundation Board, in consideration of his considerable contributions to World Scouting over multiple decades. Click here for the media gallery of Board and Committee Meetings
Celebrating BP Fellows at our Gala Dinner
On the evening of 3 May, we were honoured to bring together BP Fellows from the United Kingdom, international BP Fellows with ties to the local area, representatives of the leadership of the UK Scouts, and our Board and Committee members and their guests, to celebrate the impact of World Scouting. Our Gala Dinner was held in the stunning Tudor Tithe Barn at Great Fosters and featured heartfelt recognition of our BP Fellows and generous supporters, reminding us of the incredible impact thanks to our unique and global Baden-Powell Fellowship. Click here for the media gallery of our Gala Dinner
The evening commenced with a musical interlude from guitarist Jim Kelleher, who had incidentally enjoyed Scouting throughout his youth. Our Chair Rob Woolford then spoke to the vital skills Scouting develops in young people and how the support of BP Fellows strengthens the impact of Scouting around the world.
Thanks to the generous support of Siegfried and Yasmine Weiser, Honours Programme Members, 21 young people were welcomed into the BP Fellowship — 20 from the Kings College in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, one as a BP Fellow and 19 as Young BP Fellows — and an additional BP Fellow from the United Kingdom.
The recognitions continued throughout the evening, with five more individuals welcomed as BP Fellows, including one who was also recognised as an Honours Programme Member, and another couple welcomed into the Honours Programme. This brought the total new recognitions for the evening to 19 Young BP Fellows, seven BP Fellows, and two Honours Programme recognitions. One existing Young BP Fellow was also recognised as a BP Fellow. Click here for the media gallery of recognitions.
UK Youth Lead, Ayesha Karim, shared thoroughly inspirational insights into her journey through Scouting in the UK, the skills and confidence she has gained which has seen her take on her leadership role in UK Scouting. She underlined the importance of creating safe spaces beyond work or education, beyond home — where young people can gather because they want to, not because they have to.
Scouting creates communities and safe spaces in which to learn life skills. A highlight in a busy summer or a point of stability in a rocky week. And it is you, our volunteers and supporters, who nurture these communities, who are our biggest role models. […] We don’t know what our young people will go on to do next, but we can be sure that it will make an impact. They are our legacy, they are the future of Scouting, and you can trust that we are in safe hands.”
Craig Turpie, Chair of the UK Chapter as well as Deputy UK Chief Volunteer, also spoke passionately about how the Chapter had been re-energised, working alongside the World Scout Foundation and with the support of UK Scouts, and had ambitions to further develop to drive more support for World Scouting. Carl Hankinson, UK Chief Volunteer, then spoke passionately about the importance of the Foundation’s support and of international Scouting for young people in the UK.
[Young people] need to grow up understanding what they have in common with other people, not what sets them apart. […] The beauty, the power, the value of international Scouting, and the work that so many of you here tonight, through our Movement and the Foundation, to look after the health of our global movement, to create the conditions of success, are so important to us. The UK notices this, and we would like to thank you, so much, for what you do for our global Movement, because we know it’s important for young people all around the world. And in the UK now, more than ever, it’s important to them as well.”
The Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Knippenberg, thanked all of the UK representatives individually, everyone who had contributed to the evening’s success, and highlighted how these iconic gatherings are made all the more special as they are championed by our Honorary Chairman, HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, who has led and supported the World Scout Foundation for 48 years, participating in Board meetings and BP Fellowship Events, personally recognising our BP Fellows. Mark extended warm thanks to His Majesty and Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, also present. Our Honorary Chairman then gave a stirring address where He recognised the impact of Scouting, the recent renewal of Messengers of Peace funding and the unwavering support of BP Fellows to World Scouting:
I am utterly convinced that the world needs more Scouts. Scouts who are bridge-builders, peacemakers, and active citizens. Scouts who step up to help others and contribute to building more resilient, sustainable and peaceful communities. And together, we can make this a reality! […] This evening goes to show that the fun and adventures never cease in Scouting. Thank you for everything you do.”
An Inspiring Visit and Warm Welcome
During our busy schedule, several additional activities took place in and around the venue.
A dynamic Friends of Scouting cultivation dinner was held in central London with the generous support of our Board Member, Siegfried Weiser, and Yasmine Weiser, bringing together our Board along with some of our BP Fellows and special guests as an opportunity to discover more about the World Scout Foundation’s work to support World Scouting.
Our Board and Committee members and their guests enjoyed a brief outing to the local Walton Firs Outdoor Activity Centre, a multi-purpose site offering activities to youth groups — including Scouting — schools and colleges. The visit was arranged thanks to our Chair Rob Woolford, who also chairs their Board of Trustees. Our group was warmly welcomed by the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey and President of the Surrey County Scout Council, Mr Michael More-Molyneux, and toured the award-winning centre to see many of the activities in action, which help to develop young people’s leadership skills and confidence for life.
Our guests also participated in an informal dinner at Burhill Golf Club, where we were also delighted to celebrate our shared commitment to World Scouting as well as recognise and welcome an additional new BP Fellow and Member of the Honours Programme. Click here for media gallery of the Walton Firs and Burhill Golf Club Dinner.
We sincerely thank everyone who participated and contributed to the success of these meetings and activities. Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to World Scouting. Together, we’re ensuring that even more young people can experience Scouting and be ready for life.
Photo galleries
For more images of our various activities, please see our photo galleries here.
Phot Credits: WSF / Martyn Milner