Leaders

Welcome to Burton Explorers District Leadership Team

Samantha Ireland

District Explorer Scout Commissioner


Sam has been involved in scouting for many years and held many different roles at both a group and district levels. Sam is also a training adviser and Night Away Permit Assessor, which we are sure will come in useful for the district explorer team.

Outside of scouting Sam is interested in Gardening, renovating houses, and enjoys lots of different crafts, also likes to cycle with CC Giro. Sam also loves walking especially with her dog Pip.
If you dream it, you can achieve it … it just needs a plan

Chris Griffin

Explorer Scout Leader - Firkin & District Media & Events Manager


Chris joined scouting when he was just 6 and has never left. He has held many different roles, which have been on the district and within groups. Currently Chris is also the District Media and Events Manager

Outside of scouts Chris loves nothing more than socialising with friends and working on building his empire.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra, I'm not here to be average.

Jonathan Large

Assistant Explorer Scout Leader & District DofE Advisor


Jonathan aka "Largey" has been involved with scouting from a very young age and has worked his way up through all the sections to become the a leader with explorers. Jonathan played a key role in introducing and running DofE in Burton and now run our Top Awards with help from Alex.

Jonathan is very much into his fitness and can often be spotted on a bike ride or out walking his four legged friend Bruce.

Life has no limitations, except the ones you make.

Tasha Hill

Explorer Scout Leader - Kilderkin


Tasha has been in Scouting for around 15 years. She walked the length of Hadrian's Wall as an Explorer Scout and completed her Explorer Belt expedition in Poland as a member of Network.

Tasha enjoys climbing with her partner, bouldering with colleagues and kayaking with the Burton Canoe Club.

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

Claire Leadbeater

Assistant Explorer Scout Leader


Claire has been involved in scouting holding many different roles in various different scout groups. She is also currently Burton's District Network Scout Commissioner and also active at a county level working with the county on their Sweden Project

Be like a postage stamp stick to things until you get there.

Jan Jarvis

Assistant Explorer Scout Leader


Jan has enjoyed photography since he bought his first Kodak Instamatic many, many years ago. He holidays every year in the Lake District where he goes kayaking and hiking - and also Cornwall for the beaches.

When inclined Jan partakes in running at a running club with one half marathon under his belt and on top of that long walks, such as the 40 mile Keswick to Barrow (quickest in 9 hours 44 minutes), three peaks and Scouting's own Four Inns 40 mile hike. His dodgy knees sometimes give him grief!

Jan has also been a Beaver Leader and currently is Akela with the Rolleston Eagle Cubs, He is also the one to go to if you have an OSM related problem.

Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.

Alex Hall

Assistant Explorer Leader & District DofE Advisor


Alex has been a leader with the 12th in various forms since he was 14. In this time he has achieved his Queen's Scout Award, being the first in 10 years within the district. He achieved this by establishing the Burton Network Unit and became the District Network Scout Commissioner for 3 years.

During his time in Scouting Alex has been involved with 5 groups including one in Royal Wootten Bassett. One of Alex's favourite past times is sailing, where he is the reigning world champion in the Flying Fifteen class and has been since he was 18 being the youngest person to do so. At present Alex will be focusing on expanding the offering to our Young Leaders.

You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.

Caroline Heath

District Young Leaders Leader & District Skills Advisor


Caroline joined scouting 12 years ago as a cub leader she got roped in one night and has never left. She has worked in all the sections from beavers to scouts and now Explorers and young leaders. Caroline is one of the districts skills advisors for special needs. Outside scouting Caroline has three children and runs a charity for parents and Carers of children with Autism and ADHD. She is also a member of Mercia cycling club and enjoys walking her dog or spending time with family and friends.

People Who Are Crazy Enough To Think They Can Change The World, Are The Ones Who Do.

Our Further Support Structure

Jan Jarvis

District Explorer Scout Administrator


Michaela Gladwin

District Explorers Treasurer


Sally Gibson

District First Aid Trainer


Sue Duffill

District Commissioner


County Support Structure

Jackie Brocklehurst

County Commissioner


Sion Hughes

Assistant County Commissioner Explorer Scouts


Matt Ryder

Assistant County Commissioner Explorer Scouts


Phil Hassall

County DofE Advisor



Would you like to join our leadership or support team ?

We are always on the look out to expand our great team whether that be as a leader, occasional helper, parent supporter or helping out with the admin.

With over 10,000 leaders across the uk you would be part of a vast scouting family, great for experiencing and enjoying the outdoors, working with young people, self development and being part of a massive social group.

  • Do you enjoy working as part of a team ?
  • Do you want to help others and see them succeed ?
  • Would you like to offer your skills ?
  • If any of the above answered yes then please get in touch
Contact us now