General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Julia Evans O.B.E
B.A (Hons), M.Phil, MBA
How could I be useful to the General Synod?
I would take the knowledge and experience of worshipping and supporting my deeply rural
Parish and Benefice as well as the Deanery Synod to the debates and decisions of the
General Synod. In turn I would feedback the work of the General Synod to a local level
stimulating debate and discussion and in so doing ‘close the loop’.
As an FE college governor bring a sense of the purpose and challenges experienced by young
people and those educating them for their future lives and careers in an urban but largely
rural environment. I have also served as Chair and Governor in an inner-city college where
students were mainly those who had not ‘succeeded’ at school, a high proportion of whom
had dyslexia and other learning issues, were socially deprived and for whom issues of
safeguarding were part of their daily routine.
As a charity trustee bring an understanding of the hidden loneliness and poverty in
seemingly idyllic rural settings and the challenges of delivering services in ‘hard-to-reach’
communities.
Offer the skills and experience generated by leading and supporting large and small-scale
corporate change management, such as being a Ministerial appointee to a national
Regulatory body for many years and supporting this body as it went through times of change
and transition.
Bring experience of collaboration and leadership in the generation and delivery of
knowledge and information in the field of carbon reduction and energy efficiency as CEO of
a respected organisation in this field. Did you ever wonder where the data for the energy
colour stripes on your new washing machine came from so enabling a rational ‘carbon
aware’ purchase?
Have substantial knowledge of the management of people both individually and collectively
as a Board level HR Director in the mental health, criminal justice and transport sectors.
Followed up by 20 years as the CEO of membership organisations in the construction and
engineering sector during difficult economic times and through the pandemic in a business
which required attendance in the workplace achieving zero Covid transmission.
Extensive experience as a trustee and non-executive Director in numerous bodies which
gave insight into a breadth of issues and an understanding of the need for careful
preparation and thought enabling the separation of personal views and partiality from the
need to take impartial decisions which are focused on the long-term interests of the people
or/and organisation in question.
Deep and consistent commitment to issues of equality, diversity and inclusion leading to the
honour of an OBE in 2018.
JE 4 September 2026

benefice,criminal justice,environment,equality,justice,loneliness,mental health,poverty,safeguarding,young people