General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Lesley-Anne Williams

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Lesley-Anne Williams
Standing for the House of Laity of General Synod
Lesley Kneen, Weobley PCC and Kington and Weobley Deanery
Marcia Kaitilin Lynch-Staunton, Deanery Secretary Kington and Weobley
Deanery
Hello, my name is Lesley-Anne, I am writing to ask you to vote for me in this
important election for the General Synod. Being a member of General Synod is
a significant commitment which I have prayerfully considered and those who know me well and
previous members of General Synod have encouraged me to put my considerable experience and
skills in service of God, the Diocese, and the national church. I have a reputation for
professionalism and for getting things done, for listening and for building relationships and
consensus. At this stage in my life, I am ready to commit my time , gifts and energy to this role to
faithfully serve God, Jesus and the church community.
A lifelong Christian , I am married with 3 grown up children and 8 grandchildren and worship at St
Peter and St Paul’s Church in Weobley where I am a member of the PCC and the Kington and
Weobley Deanery.
My Work and volunteering experience which has allowed me to express my faith in daily life and
to show care and compassion for others includes :-
•
Co- Chair of The Wilkinson Jay Response Group
•
Chief Executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire and Arden Primary Care Trusts
•
Area Director NHS England ( Arden Herefordshire and Worcestershire)
•
Director of several Welfare to Work programmes, throughout the UK designed to support
the disadvantaged and marginalised back to work
•
Chief Executive of several medical charities
•
Chief Executive of 2 hospices
•
Cruse Bereavement Volunteer and supervisor for over 22 years
•
Professional Certified Coach, Bereavement Counceller and End of Life Coach
•
ATALOSS The Bereavement Journey programme , now in its third year for Herefordshire on
behalf of the Weobley and Staunton benefice

I am keen to learn where I can best contribute to General Synod and list here some of my
personal interests:-

My governance and director experience
I have deep personal experience of supporting organisations where there have been failures of
governance and have worked effectively to support their people to be the best that they can be. I
understand the trauma that can result when things go wrong. Having worked with many different
organisational forms, the public, private and third sectors, I am confident in working in complex
and challenging environments and have insight into how the Church operates. As Co-Chair, I saw
firsthand the workings of the Church and the decision-making processes, presenting to General

Lesley-Anne Williams

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Synod, The House of Bishops and The Archbishops’ Council and importantly engaging with
victims and survivors.

An inclusive church for everyone, my desire for the flourishing of the whole church
My views are liberal and I believe that , as a Church we should be inclusive and encourage others
to welcome everybody, regardless of their ethnicity, disability, sex, gender identity,
neurodiversity, mental health or economic power. I currently support the marginalised in my
counselling and coaching work and believe that the church too should be a welcoming place for
all. I am Co-Chair of The UK International Coaches Federation Neuroinclusive Special Interest
Group. My commitment to diversity is lived in my daily life ; I am proud to have family members,
clients, and close friends who identify with several communities that are often marginalised or
excluded.

Safeguarding
My interest in safeguarding has run throughout my life and I have worked with victims and
survivors on many occasions. Sadly, the Church has all too often been at the centre of deeply
troubling safeguarding controversies. The scale of the institutional failures revealed is profoundly
concerning. I have learnt too that change is slow in the church and there is much opposition and
resistance to doing things differently. I am tenacious and determined in my approach and hugely
resilient. I hope that my experience in this field will enable me to contribute to the future of
safeguarding in the Anglican Church.

Mission, Growth and valuing volunteers
I want to see a living, faithful and growing church rooted in local communities able to serve God
in their way. My personal concern extends to the health and wellbeing of both clergy and
volunteers in the church, where I know that many are considering their futures. This leads me to
actively want to support initiatives to sustain and develop those who are the backbone of our
church community. Herefordshire is a rural diocese and the parish in which I live can feel far away
from the policy and decision making at the centre of the church. I have spent a lifetime engaging
others and translating policy into reality and would be keen to continue to do this.

Environment and Heritage
I am very interested to learn more about the Heritage of the Church and of its response to climate
change and recognise the local financial burden parishes face when trying to go green. I would
be keen to support plans to work towards Net Zero, recognising the challenges that this can
create and to engage with local rural communities to support them in implementation of these
plans.

This is a timely opportunity now for me and I commit to bringing a fresh outlook to General Synod,
actively challenging preconceived ideas when necessary. To prove that we are a church for all
people, we must acknowledge where change is required and have the courage to pursue it.
Thank you for taking the time to read my address. I would be very grateful if you would consider
giving me your first preference vote.

If you have any questions or would like to contact me to talk this through, then please get in touch
at [email protected] or call me on 07720 448000.

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