Girlguiding has appointed Tracy Foster to the charity’s top volunteer position, chief guide, replacing the role’s previous holder after five years.
The charity previously separated its chief guide role into two separate roles, with one focusing on its members and one chairing the board of trustees.
Foster will be responsible for championing the experiences of its 70,000 strong network of volunteers.
Her term will run for five years, and she has been part of Girlguiding since joining Brownies aged seven.
Foster said she looked forward to empowering adult volunteers and to engaging with younger members, “ensuring their voice is at the heart of all we do”.
She added: “I am constantly inspired by both our amazing volunteers, who give their time and care to providing a welcoming space for girls to experience the fun and adventure Guiding offers, and our young members that I see each week laughing with friends, stepping out of their comfort zones to try new things and their confidence growing.
“I want all girls to have access to what we offer, and I’m excited to work with the wider team to help make this ambition a reality.”
Foster is a registered social worker and for the past 20 years has supported those impacted by domestic abuse.
Three senior volunteers to leave positions
Foster takes on the role from Amanda Medler, after her five-year term comes to an end. Indeed, the three most senior volunteers – Medler, deputy chief guide Julie Bell and assistant chief guide Emma Guthrie – are all due to finish their term at the end of February.
Liz Brown who joined the team in 2022 will stay on in her role as assistant chief guide for the next six months to support the new chief guide when she starts at the end of February.
Angela Salt, chief executive of Girlguiding, said: “Our chief guide and her team, Amanda, Julie and Emma have worked tirelessly over the last five years to lead our volunteers and girls through unprecedented times.
“We’ve needed to adapt and evolve at pace to ensure we’ve continued supporting as many girls as possible, whilst also considering the impact of the pandemic and cost of living crisis on our amazing volunteers we wouldn’t exist without.”
She added Foster’s “wealth of experience along with her passion and commitment will see her succeed in helping to ensure Girlguiding continues to offer more opportunities to more girls long into the future”.
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