clergy wellbeing,doctrinal,generosity,homelessness,inclusive,loneliness,outreach,safeguarding,victims,war,young people

Election Statement for the House of Laity (General Synod)
Candidate: Heather Taylor
Parish: St Simon’s Church, Rockley Road (Diocese of London)
Location: White City, London W12
Nominator 1: Andrew N M Bulley
Nominator 2: Carol Sormaz
Introduction & Personal Background
I am standing for election to the House of Laity to offer General Synod a grounded, experienced, and deeply compassionate voice. Having recently moved to White City (W12), I am an active member of St Simon’s Church, Rockley Road, where I regularly serve on the preaching rota.
My life has been defined by faith, public service, and resilience. Through direct experience in pastoral advocacy and navigating complex educational, neurodiverse, and care needs, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of grace, patience, and persistent support. I have direct experience of overcoming systemic challenges and supporting individuals through vulnerability. This experience forms the foundation of my commitment to community welfare, equity, and inclusive governance within our Church.
Experience and History
General Synod faces a vast volume of complex legal measures, policy reports, and financial bundles. My academic background and corporate consulting career give me a proven, high-level capacity to quickly read, process, and interrogate complex information and evidence. As a Senior Executive and Business Strategy Consultant at Hakluyt & Co, I spent years advising C-suite leaders of FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 corporations on political, financial, strategy and reputational risk. Later, as Research Director at Aegis Intelligence, I led strategic intelligence operations, reconfigured research divisions, and oversaw global intelligence capacity. These roles required me to dissect dense intelligence briefs, challenge assumptions, interrogate complex evidence, and synthesize clear strategic advice under pressure. These are all skills I will directly apply when scrutinizing national Church legislation and budgets.
My academic foundation spans a PGCE in History from Oxford University, a Certificate of Theology from St Mellitus College (following the BA programme over 4 years), PhD candidacy/lecturer in Russian politics at Cranfield University, an MA in War Studies from King’s College London (Dissertation Distinction), and a 2:1 BA (Double Hons) in Russian & German. This rigorous training enables me to analyse theological arguments, policy documents and historical precedent with precision.

Faith in Action & Parish Service
My commitment to the local church, state education, and community outreach is practical and longstanding. Key areas of experience are from working in state schools and homelessness projects.
I qualified as a secondary school History teacher in 2020 through Oxford University and have taught across state secondary schools. I understand firsthand the pressures facing state education, young people and families today and will put this understanding into my role on General Synod. In addition to serving on the preaching rota at St Simon's Rockley Road, I hosted the Boys' Bible Study group at St Aldates Church, Oxford (2022–2025). I also served as a qualified Junior Ice Hockey Club Manager with the Oxford Junior Stars Ice Hockey Club.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I volunteered regularly with ACT Oxford, preparing and serving meals to the homeless and vulnerable. I worked with homeless children and heroin addicts in Russia (1996-1997) for the Christian organisations, ‘Novaya Zhizn’ (heroin rehab) and ‘Priyut’ (homeless children’s refuge). I was acting head of the children’s refuge in 1997.
I hold up-to-date Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Child Exploitation and Prevent qualifications, ensuring I can advocate for uncompromising, transparent safeguarding across all parishes.
Key Priorities for General Synod
If elected for Synod, the key priorties I would fight for as your candidate fall into four main areas.
Of central importance is the resourcing of grassroots parishes. The parish system is the beating heart of the Church of England. It is the neighbourhood community that provides an antidote to modern social fragmentation. It is the common table where we can gather to counter hunger, loneliness and confusion. I will strongly advocate for central funds to directly support local parish ministry, community outreach, and clergy wellbeing.
I will also use my corporate strategy and research background to thoroughly interrogate Synod bundles, ensuring central Church spending and policy decisions are transparent, sound and accountable to parishes. I believe that robust legislative and financial scrutiny are critical for maintaining the Church’s spiritual integrity, structural sustainability and public trust.
The Church must be a sanctuary for all families, particularly lone parents, young people, and those navigating Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). My DSL background means I will consistently vote for measures that protect the vulnerable, maintain independent oversight and support victims
Synod faces complex doctrinal and social debates. I commit to listening with generosity, speaking with honesty, and seeking unity while upholding the dignity of all members.
Request for Your Support
I ask for your 1st Preference Vote to represent our diocese in the House of Laity. I promise to bring diligence, theological reflection, and high-level strategic scrutiny to every session of General Synod.