New District Lead Volunteer appointed for South West Cheshire

Date: 29th Mar 2024 Author: Dave Hopley

Dan Baldwin has been appointed to lead South West Cheshire as District Lead Volunteer from 12th April 2024.

Dave Hopley, County Lead Volunteer said,

“I am delighted to have appointed Dan Baldwin as District Lead Volunteer for South West Cheshire. Dan brings a wealth of skills and experience from his Scouting and professional life to lead the District to its next chapter, as we look to transform our volunteer experience”

“I’d also like to say a massive thank you to Ian Potts for his stirling leadership of South West Cheshire District over the past ten years.

We will formally transition leadership at South West Cheshire’s Annual Meeting on 12 April 2024 which will provide a suitable occasion to say a huge thank you to Ian, and a welcome to Dan is his new role. In the meantime Ian and Dan will be working through a structured handover”

Dan works as Head of Personal Lines for Avid Insurance, where he leads a team overseeing the scheme underwriting and operation of the company’s consumer insurance product lines.

Dan’s Scouting journey started aged 8 when he joined the local Cub Scouts at 24th St Paul’s (Pennine Calder) in his native West Yorkshire, going on to become a Scout, a Venture Scout, and later Scout Leader with the same group. On relocating to South West Cheshire, Dan became Scout Leader at the 39th SWC in Sandbach in 2008, moving into the role of Explorer Scout Leader at Shipton ESU in 2018. He has also served on the Appointments Committee in the District.

Outside of Scouting, Dan is married to Kerry and has 3 children. He is also a keen amateur musician, having previously played percussion for some of the top brass bands in the North West, including the Foden’s Band based in Sandbach.

On his appointment Dan said,

“It’s a great privilege to have been selected to succeed Ian Potts in leading South West Cheshire through the next few years. I have seen first-hand the fantastic Scouting activities that South West Cheshire delivers for its Young People, and I hope to be able to work closely with the District team in supporting even more of this in the future. I can’t wait to get started!”

Ian Potts said,

“Congratulations to Dan on his appointment as Lead Volunteer for South West Cheshire Scouts.  I have had an incredible time in the role over the last 10 years and have enjoyed working with hard working and committed Leaders from across the District.  I would like to thank all of you for the support you have given me and for everything you have done for the District.  I am sure you will all support Dan as you have supported me and I hope he enjoys his time in the role as much as I have”.

HM King Charles III has been confirmed as our new Patron, a great honour for UK Scouts.

The King continues a long tradition of the monarch giving their Patronage, dating back to 1912. This was when Scouts was granted its Royal Charter and HM George V became our first Patron.

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King Charles III

Our Patron, HM King Charles III