Top guide Denise visits her home town

Denise (centre) is pictured with (l-r), Irene Stewart, Oldham West Guides’ President, Young Leader Rachel Kelly, Anne Higgins, Oldham East Guides’ President, and Ailisha Ryan from Healds Green Guides.

Girl guiding’s top official went back to her roots when she visited guides in Oldham.

Denise King, chief executive of Girlguiding UK, was guest speaker at the Oldham Guides’ annual meeting at Trinity Methodist Church in Royton.

She was born in Oldham in 1966, and began her lifetime association with the movement as a brownie at Zion Methodist Church, Lees.

After Hulme Grammar School for Girls, she studied at Keele University where she graduated with BA honours in history and economics, before becoming a trainee accountant.

She moved to London for an international job with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, becoming the UK’s chief executive in 2001.