Chief Operating Officer of the World Scout Bureau receives British honour from Queen Elizabeth
Aidan Jones, the former UK Staff Director of the 21st World Scout Jamboree in 2007 and current Chief Operating Officer of the World Scout Bureau was today honoured by the Queen with the award of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). Aidan received his award for services to skills as Chief Executive of WorldSkills London 2011 – a role he held between October 2008 and March 2012 and which was a continuation of a career that has concentrated on working for organisations focused on promoting the development of young people. The UK’s successful hosting of the WorldSkills Competition in 2011 saw nearly 1,000 competitors from over 50 countries competing to be the ‘best of the best’ in 46 skills competitions and Team UK delivered their best ever result. With nearly 200,000 visitors, the event successfully delivered on one of its key objectives to positively and permanently change perceptions of vocational education and training.
Aidan started his career in the building industry but as a keen Scout he quickly moved from volunteer roles to a professional role when he become Director of Kandersteg International Scout Centre, one of Europe’s largest youth activity centres located in the heart of the Swiss Alps. He also held roles in the European Regional Office of the World Scout Bureau and led UK Scouting’s International Staff Team until he took on the lead staff role for the World Scout Jamboree that was held in the UK in 2007.
The Jamboree staff team that Aidan led successfully worked with the Jamboree Director and a large volunteer team to deliver an event for 40,000 young people from almost every country on the planet. During the two-week event Aidan was personally responsible for organising HRH Prince William’s programme who chose to visit the Jamboree as his third public engagement.
In March 2012, Aidan was appointed as the Chief Operating Officer for the World Scout Bureau based in Geneva (Switzerland) where he oversees the work of a team of 120 staff based in 7 locations around the world, offering support to the Secretary General (chief executive) of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
Upon receiving the award Aidan Jones OBE said "I am deeply honoured to receive this award. Throughout my career I have focused on delivering activities, events and experiences to develop young people and being recognised for this work is a great honour." He added "I have been very fortunate to work with countless positive adults who invest time in supporting young people. The next generation is the future and I am proud to play my part in their development."
Based in Geneva, Aidan travels frequently in support of Scouting across the globe. Until recently he held the role of Treasurer for the 1st Sawbridgeworth Scout Group in the UK (a local grassroots level Scout Group) having carried out this volunteer role for the last 5 years.
Download PDF version of this page
