Foundation Board annouces new CEO

The Foundation Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Knippenberg as Chief Executive Officer. The Board is convening in Stockholm in the presence of HM King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Honorary Chair of the World Scout Foundation since 1977.

The Board unanimously confirmed the appointment of Mark Knippenberg as CEO, following the decision of the Executive Committee of the Foundation, which met on 31 August, and a robust and extensive international selection process, in which both external and internal candidates were assessed for the role.

“Mark’s considerable experience; his track-record in introducing innovative systems and initiatives to dynamise fundraising approaches and increase the Foundation’s capital; together with his proven strong servant leadership, will be vital as the Foundation seeks to maximise its support to grow and develop Scouting worldwide. We are pleased that this process has resulted in the selection of an excellent internal candidate with a detailed understanding of global Scouting and the World Scout Foundation”, says Hector Robledo Cervantes.

Mark joined the World Scout Foundation as Deputy Director in 2010, where he took on a lead role in the coordination of donor engagement, including WSF Investor Conferences and Honours Programme field visits; work to strengthen systems to effectively manage donors, grants and fundraising, specifically the joint WSF-World Scout Bureau deployment of the Fluxx grantmaking system and Scout Donation Platform, and more recently the WSF Digital Transformation Project. Mark drove the successful 2020–21 Fundraising Campaign during the global pandemic, as championed by Board Members Margot Bogert and the late Kent Clayburn, which has raised over USD 2.9 Million, to date. In addition, he has strengthened coordination with WOSM via the World Scout Committee and by managing the day-to-day liaison with the World Scout Bureau.

Prior to the Foundation, Mark directed the World Scout Centre in Kandersteg, successfully expanding the centre’s global reach, constantly driving overnights and developing and inaugurating the Kanderlodge facility. Before his Scout-related roles, Mark held leadership positions with the Dutch ING Bank & Insurances and the Royal Dutch Navy, initially inspired by his early days as a Sea Scout in the Netherlands.

“I am humbled, privileged and committed to leading the Foundation and to increasing both our capital and project funding for Scouting around the world. I am prepared to seize the opportunities ahead working alongside our Foundation Board, led by HRH The Crown Prince Guillaume of Luxembourg; as well as with our incredible network of Baden-Powell Fellows and partners; and in close cooperation with WOSM”, says new CEO, Mark Knippenberg.

Mark Knippenberg has assumed his position as of 1 September 2021, John Geoghegan, who served the Foundation for twenty years, will continue to support the Foundation by focusing on the future partnership with donors in Saudi Arabia.