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W. George Purdy CBE

22nd January 2002

The Leader of the 450,000 strong Scout Movement in the UK, George Purdy, has been honoured with the award of a CBE, "for services to young people" in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

W. George Purdy CBE, was appointed Chief Scout in 1996 and since that date had led the United Kingdom's largest co-educational youth Movement through a period of significant change. In 2002, Scouting will reveal the largest changes to its activity programme for young people since 1967. Twelve months ago the organisation launched its new uniform and new corporate identity.

Born in 1942 George Purdy joined the Cub Scouts as an 8 year old and ten years later became an Assistant Scout Leader with the 45th West Belfast Scout Group. A Founder Leader, in 1963, of the 2nd Donaghadee Scout Troop he also "doubled up" as an Assistant Cub Scout Leader with the 1st Inniskilling.

In 1969 he became the Scout Leader of the re-formed Three Spires Scout Troop in Magherafelt before returning to the 2nd Donaghadee in 1971, where he served in a number of capacities until becoming the Assistant Group Scout Leader in 1990. He remained with the group until taking over as Chief Commissioner of Northern Ireland in 1994 - his first ever non-Group appointment.

Instrumental in starting two new Scout Groups, in 1983 he led the Northern Ireland Contingent to the World Scout Jamboree in Canada. He also played a leading role in organising the All-Ireland International Scout Camps and was Deputy Chief at Ballyfin in 1993.

He joined the Northern Ireland Civil Service in 1960 and retired as Director of Policy and Legislation in the Department of Health and Social Services.

Married with two sons, he is an Elder of Donaghadee Presbyterian Church and has worked as a volunteer Youth Club Leader and Sunday School teacher.

For more information, contact Michele Hatwell in the Press Office on 020 8433 7209.

For further information contact: Michelle Hatwell (Michelle.Hatwell@scout.org.uk)