General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Election Address

I am a self-supporting minister, serving my curacy on a part-time basis in the Buckingham
Diocese and I am married with 3 young children. I have over 25 years’ experience working
across a range of sectors including Energy, Mining, Higher Education, Shipping and Retail.

Over the past 13 years I have been the co-founder of a boutique IT consultancy that
specialises in delivering large complex transformation projects and in advising on IT
strategy. It is my intention to continue to work in full-time secular employment, while
serving part-time in Parish ministry. I believe this enriches the service that I bring into the
church while enabling me to express my faith among leaders in the secular workplace.

I am putting myself forward for nomination to serve at the General Synod because I am
passionate about, and believe I can contribute to three specific themes, which I deem
especially pertinent to our current context. I briefly lay these out below:

1. The role of the Church of England as a voice for morality and hope for the

vulnerable in an increasingly power-dominated world: Shifts in technology, global
and national geo-politics are testing long held assumptions about the way the world
works. The resulting sustained global unrest is beamed directly into our lives via
myriad technological media. There is a distinct sense of a crisis of leadership in the
world, and in the church as our leaders struggle to respond to the challenges of our
time.

Yet, despite its own challenges, it is essential for the church to continue to amplify its
voice and engage rigorously with how Government, private enterprise, the Church
itself and individuals must respond to the pressures of our current context. I want to
see the church play a more active role in shaping AI ethics and technological
governance, UK government response to Defence challenges brought about via the
Russia-Ukraine war and the Middle-East crisis.

1. The role of the church in stewarding the on-going silent revival: It has been a great

privilege to witness the ongoing so-called silent revival, which is manifested by the
increasing numbers of young people and unchurched individuals who are turning to
Christ and the church in search of answers. Statistics suggest that more people have
completed the Alpha course in churches all over the country in the past 18 months,
than at any other period before.

This is welcome news for our churches, but it has become important for the Church
to consider what a coordinated response to this awakening might entail, lest we miss
this moment. I would like to see increased support for discipleship initiatives across
churches. We have a unique opportunity, with the right discipleship to shape a society
informed once again by Christian, rather than just secular values. I seek an
opportunity to participate in these discussions as part of the Synod.

1. Preserving Marriage Doctrine in keeping with Scripture and Tradition: In a world of

shifting sands, it is essential that the church engages lovingly and faithfully with the

issues of our time, without losing its moorings in scripture and in the faith handed
down to us by the Apostles. The discussions on sexuality and marriage doctrine will
continue into the next Synod.

I believe in the traditional doctrine of marriage revealed in scripture as between one
man and one woman. However, this for me is not a position taken out of indifference
to, or ignorance of the costs and consequences for those who might be of a different
persuasion. I know that for many this is a difficult, existential challenge and it is
because of this that I believe that the church must engage sincerely and sensitively
with the different sides of the debate. Yet we must continue to be guided by the light
of scripture, tradition and reason, underpinned by sincere love God and neighbour –
especially when the truth is hard to tell and to hear. If I am elected to Synod, I will
advocate to continue maintaining and advancing the faith and doctrine that we have
received, while ensuring due consideration for the impact that this position might
have on those who feel differently.

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