A LONG-STANDING volunteer with the Girlguides in Welshpool has been announced as the new chief commissioner designate.

Bev Martin has helped to inspire girls within Welshpool and the county as a whole.

On accepting the role, Bev said: “I’m extremely honoured and excited by the challenge ahead.”

Bev will focus on supporting the charity’s 18,000 plus girls and volunteers. She brings a wealth of experience from different voluntary roles including being a trustee of Girlguiding Cymru, a former county commissioner for Montgomeryshire and a Brownie leader for over 30 years. Her role will formally start in October and for the next six months will be shadowing the current chief commissioner, Lesley Mathews.

Lesley Mathews said: “On behalf of myself and my team, the board of trustees and the wider membership of Girlguiding Cymru, I extend a warm Welsh welcome to Bev. I am personally looking forward to working closely with Bev over the next six months and excited to see where Girlguiding Cymru is going over the next five years.”

Amanda Medler, chief guide, said: “I am pleased to share the exciting news that following a rigorous recruitment process, an appointment has been made. I am delighted to inform that your next Cymru Chief Commissioner will be Bev Martin. Bev, a trustee of Girlguiding Cymru and a former county commissioner for Montgomeryshire, will be working alongside

Lesley and her team over the coming months before taking up the Chief Commissioner role on 24th October 2020.Please join me in congratulating Bev on her appointment and wish her all the best in her new role championing the work of Girlguiding across Wales.”