WHO IS ADVENTURER DWAYNE FIELDS? THE MAN TAKING OVER FROM BEAR GRYLLS AS UK CHIEF SCOUT

The Scouts have announced Dwayne Fields, the first black Briton to reach the North Pole, as the UK’s new Chief Scout.

Mr Fields vowed to show that the group “is a family for absolutely anyone” and appeal to new communities which may have been put off by “a lot of the older ideas” around scouting – such as those in inner cities.

The group has a membership of some 500,000 young people and adult volunteers.

The adventurer will succeed TV star Bear Grylls, who was appointed Chief Scout in 2009, aged 34, making him the UK’s youngest ever in the role at the time.

Mr Fields said: “It’s absolutely a sense of honour (to be appointed) – initially disbelief, followed by a huge sense of pride in something that’s made a huge difference to my life.

“I remember being seven years old and walking into that Cub Scouts’ hut in Palmers Green, in north London, and I never thought I belonged anywhere until the moment I walked into that hut.

“And now, to be given this role as Chief Scout, to me it’s pride of place, really. It’s the fact that other young people can look at me and say, ‘Well, actually, that guy started exactly where I am’.”

Here is what you need to know about the new Chief Scout.

Who is Dwayne Fields?

Born in Jamaica, Mr Fields came to the UK at the age of six. He grew up in inner city London without access to nature and said the Scouts made a “huge difference” to his life after a terrible start in the capital.

In his early years, he became a victim of both knife and gun crime.

On his website, he states that as a child in Jamaica, he loved nature and wildlife and so made the decision to “reconnect to his early life in the forests and hilltops of Jamaica where he was born”.

He joined the Scouts and his journey with the outdoor enthusiasts has continued from there.

Have we seen him before?

Yes, he is a face known to many, as a TV presenter and adventurer.

In 2010, Mr Fields set himself his first of many challenges, becoming the first black Briton to walk more than 400 nautical miles to the magnetic North Pole. On his return, he was invited to Buckingham Palace by the then Queen Elizabeth, joining other polar explorers and adventurers at a reception to mark the centenary of Scott’s expedition to the South Pole.

He has since had a successful career in adventure and TV, presenting shows such as the BBC’s Countyfile, as well as series on Channel 5, Disney+ and National Geographic.

This included recreating the Antarctica journeys of Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Ernest Shackleton, and Roald Amundsen alongside Ben Fogle for a 2023 television series.

He has also appeared on shows such as BBC’s The One Show.

What else has he achieved?

His series, Endurance: Race to the Pole, was recently nominated for a Bafta, something he labelled an “absolute honour”.

He was also made an official ambassador by the prestigious Royal Marines in July, and given the title honorary colonel.

When was he made Chief Scout?

The 41-year-old was formally invested as Chief Scout on Thursday (September 5) at Scout Park, in north-east London, where he spent time in Cub Scouts as a child.

What is a Chief Scout?

Chief Scouts are appointed for a five-year tenure but may serve for longer periods. Mr Fields will be the 11th person to hold the title and is taking over from Bear Grylls.

The Scout Association's Chief Scout is the head of its youth programmes. 

In 2009, the Scout Association announced Bear Grylls as Chief Scout following the end of former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan's five-year term.

Register now for one of the Evening Standard’s newsletters. From a daily news briefing to Homes & Property insights, plus lifestyle, going out, offers and more. For the best stories in your inbox, click here.

2024-09-06T09:55:15Z dg43tfdfdgfd