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Diocese of Chelmsford
2026 General Synod Election Address
House of Laity

I live in Chigwell Row with my wife Paula, her mum and a Ukrainian guest. My wife served
her curacy in Cambridge and took up a Team Vicar role in the Chelmsford Diocese 10 years
ago. My hope is that this summary will give you a feel for what I stand for and for the heart
that lives behind it.

I am 64 and have enjoyed a career in software consultancy, pioneering the use of big data. I
have led departments and teams in both the private and public sectors. I discovered that
the people are the living treasure, the technology is the easy bit. I retired early to spend
more time serving the church and taking up mission opportunities.

Why vote for me?

I have the time and energy to pray. My experience of church life and growth at parish level
gives me a fresh edge in the issues currently facing General Synod.

Here in this video is my take on some of the key matters: ElectionVideo.mov

My passion and priorities:

• At the start of every day I pray together with my wife and I read a few chapters of
scripture.
• Outreach. I am committed to and involved in various styles of outreach to those
with no contact or experience of Christian faith. I served as Chair of a charity
dedicated to parish outreach within the UK. I plan to participate in a pilgrimage walk
in September with some of the newer young adult members of our church.
• Having been a Churchwarden in a rural church and worked through a re-roofing
project and a clergy vacancy, I want to see that small churches are supported so they
can get time away from maintenance to build their congregations.

As a PCC member I know good progress is being made on improving safeguarding. I was
disappointed that General Synod did not agree to implement all the recommendations of
the Jay report. Given our position in Chelmsford with a warning from the Charity
Commisioners, I want us to regularly review our progress towards the closest adoption of
these recommendations as we can.

Always happy to chat:

Email:
[email protected]

Telephone:
0208 501 5226

WhatsApp:
07546 656 659

Diocese of Chelmsford
2026 General Synod Election Address
House of Laity
My Church Life

I currently serve as a Deanery Synod representative within the Epping Forest and Ongar
Deanery. I worship at All Saints Church in Chigwell Row where I serve on the DCC and PCC
and lead the men’s group. I assist with the management of the hall and grounds. My heart
rests in the prayer life of the church and in helping with the many groups we run to reach
out and help new disciples to grow in faith.

My Heart

Whilst my wife did her theology degree and trained for the ministry between 2010 and
2012, I undertook an MBA at Cranfield University as a much more mature student. This has
given me a deep understanding of business and organisational dynamics.

I love large Christian gatherings and have a special heart for the Keswick Convention where I
met Paula. We regularly attend New Wine conferences and Spring Harvest as part of a
parish group. I have also enjoyed Cursillo at Pleshey and I regularly participate in parish
missions around the country.

My Past

In the late 1990s we moved to a Cambridgeshire village, and I returned to the Anglican
church. I value the diversity of tradition within the Church of England and feel we have
much to contribute to society.

I have since been a member of 3 Anglican churches in different dioceses and I have served
as a Churchwarden. In both the smaller congregations we saw numerical and spiritual
growth. I am passionate to see the Church of England facilitate and invest in the growth of
our parishes. I have seen the strength of the parish system in providing a safe space for
people to find out about faith, but also how even small churches can develop partnerships
and networks within the community that truly serve and support our neighbours.

My Life

I enjoy listening to Radio 3 in the mornings and progressive rock in the evenings. My
hobbies are cooking with family and friends, bee keeping and rebuilding classic performance
engines.

My Thanks

I am grateful to the Lay Chair of our Deanery Synod for his nomination and to Mary
Durlacher from Colchester Deanery for seconding me. Of course thanks are due to Paula for
her support and encouragement.