General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Dear Elector
About me
I am 64 years old, born and bred in Ipswich, and married to Julie. We have two
children and one grandchild with another on the way very soon.
Whilst I had what might be described a fairly normal childhood, this did involve
attending Sunday School and Youth groups. However, despite this grounding, I did
not become a committed Christian until my 40s.
Leaving school at 16, I took a Telecommunications Apprenticeship with Post Office
Telecoms, soon to become British Telecom. I worked in various technical and
managerial roles during my career, ending up leading a Cyber Security team,
managing security systems in BT. I left BT in 2018.
NIGEL COOK
Thankyou for taking the time to read my Election Address for the upcoming election
to the General Synod House of Laity. I trust, with God’s grace, you will carefully and
prayerfully consider all Election Addresses you have received.
This next quinquenium for General Synod is so important, impacting all our
churches and communities in some way, and on our ability to share the Good News
of Jesus with all.
In truth, I did not see myself ever standing for General Synod. However, as our
circumstances change, as our faith deepens, and as our listening to the prompting
of the Holy Spirit becomes ever more difficult to ignore, here I am!
Being elected to represent our Diocese, our County of Suffolk, at General Synod
would be an honour and privilege. My own prayerful consideration, and that of
many others, brings me to this point.
If elected, I will be a prayerful and faithful member of Synod. I will seek to
understand the issues presented, ask for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me
forwards and show me how I can contribute and vote. I will be your elected
representative, and so will be available to answer questions and receive any advice
or input you may offer me.
Every blessing
Nigel
[email protected]
Election Address - General Synod 2026 - House of Laity
St. Augustine’s Parish
Ipswich Deanery
Diocese of St. Eds. & Ips.
Nomination
I have been graciously proposed by Stuart Lowe (Thingoe Deanery) and Seconded
by Elaine Gooch (Ipswich Deanery)

In 2019, I was appointed Strategic IT Manager in the St. Eds. and Ips. Diocese, a role
I held until retirement in 2025. I found this fascinating, getting to know so many of
the characters that make our Diocese what it is, and also collaborating with other IT
teams in others Dioceses, and the National Church Institutions. I was grateful to be
able to put some of my BT skills and experience to good use in Suffolk, and further
afield, ultimately for God’s glory.
I worship at St Augustine’s in Ipswich. I have had 2 terms of office as Churchwarden
(12 years in total) and been heavily involved in the transformation of our church, as
we become more and more guided by the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I oversee
our Prayer Ministry team, and also our sung Worship team. I play bass in our
church band.
I am a big supporter of Alpha, carrying out various roles over the past few years. I
fully endorse William Temple’s assertion that “the church exists primarily for the
benefit of those who do not belong to it” and regularly get involved in our mission
activities, as we turn our church inside out seeking to make disciples of all.
I am passionate about church needing to be focused locally, building strong
community relationships, collaborating and sharing resources for the good of all.
My experience working on Diocesan staff has led me to conclude that the Church of
England is overly complex in many ways, and needs to become more relevant,
intentional and flexible in order to re-evangelise the nation, holding to the received
teaching of the Church of England.
I would hope sitting on General Synod would give me an opportunity to help ensure
the Church of England continues to be a place where people of all ages and
backgrounds can hear the saving Gospel of Jesus.
Three particular areas of interest to me are:
Children and Young People. Not just for the future, but here now! How can
Synod facilitate a better reach of the Gospel to our children and young people?
What sort of prioritisation is needed around funding and other resources?
Safeguarding. My IT work in our Diocese saw me working very closely with the
Safeguarding team, as we sought to provide systems and resources to assist
our unsung heroes - the Parish Safeguarding Officer. I will be keen to see how
Synod’s previous work in this area can be built upon.
Governance. My experience as Data Controller and supporting our Diocesan
Governance team means I am interested in what the new Governance
Programme is proposing, and how the new Synod can engage and contribute.
My church
Why am I standing
I am excited by the prospect of being elected to serve on General Synod,
representing this Diocese. If you decide to vote for me, I would very much
appreciate the highest preference vote you feel able to give me.
I would commit to
Being prayerful in my service
Being faithful in upholding and safeguarding the truth of scripture in all areas
Being missional in seeking to ensure the Gospel is being served across the
breadth of our diverse parishes
Thank you for reading.
Every blessing,
Nigel Cook
In summary

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