Peter Marcus

Peter's Story

St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth

Childhood and Starting School

Peter was born in Portsmouth, the UK's island city, in July 1997. With 194.4 hours of sunshine it was the 19th sunniest July in British records with almost 30 hours more sun than an average year (a fact which only contributes to Peter's insistence that he's a constant ray of sunshine), although after over nine months of pregnancy and a long labour Kirstine Impey - who moved to the UK from Denmark shortly before Peter's birth - probably wouldn't have seen much of that sunshine.

Peter's early childhood saw him spend most of his formative years in Portsmouth - a city which he credits for the morals and values that guide him today - with brief periods in Cheltenham and Bristol, including some time in a women's refuge with his mum.

On returning to Portsmouth, Peter and his family settled in Cosham in the north of the city. He still calls Cosham home today.

Growing Up: Groundlings and the Mayville Years

In 2007 Peter joined Groundlings Theatre Company, a small but well respected drama school based in Portsmouth. With Groundlings, Peter got the chance to perform across the country - including in a national open air tour of Macbeth and the world premiere of a musical based on the classic novel The Darling Buds of May.

A year later, in September 2008, Peter enrolled at Southsea's Mayville High School. Peter spent five years at the school, growing as a person and learning the most important lesson any school can teach - to be himself and to 'be the best that I can be'.
Four studens outside Mayville High School, Southsea. Left to Right (foreground) Harry Keeler, Peter Marcus, Erin Haimes, Francesca Rowland. In the background, James Edginton and Luke Stretton.
#MayvilleMemories
Hampshire 110 at Spinnaker Tower

Be Prepared

At 14 Peter joined Sharks Explorer Scout Unit in the north of Portsmouth, the start of a decade long involvement in, and lifelong support of, the Scout movement. At 15 he joined the Hampshire Scout Youth Council, which he later led, at at 16 became part of the Scouts' 'Scouts Speak Up' programme, representing the organisation and its members in the media and at high profile events such as political party conferences. 

At 18 he was elected as a trustee of Hampshire Scouts, the UK's largest county, where he spearheaded an ambitious reworking of the charity's grant programme - unlocking tens of thousands of pounds to help young people take part in once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. He also served four years as Hampshire's County Youth Commissioner, the organisation's second most senior operational role, where he led the charity's 25,000 youth members through the global Coronavirus pandemic.

In 2017 Peter was appointed as the co-project lead for Hampshire 110, celebrating Hampshire Scouts' 110th birthday. Thousands of people took part in a special challenge badge throughout the year which started with a public activity day at Southampton's Westquay shopping centre and a VIP and civic reception at the top of Portsmouth's iconic Spinnaker Tower.

Innovation means daring to dream.

© Peter Marcus