General Synod Election Candidates 2026

Candidate for the House of Laity
D I A N E M C K E N Z I E - B O Y L E
e. [email protected]
t. 01732 469048
Please do contact me if you have any questions
For the first time I am offering to serve on General Synod. I am deeply
committed to the Church of England. I want to see the Church of England
confident in the Good News of Jesus Christ, growing in every generation,
and directing its people and resources towards mission and ministry in the
parishes. I would bring extensive legal, financial and governance
experience, a broad knowledge of church life, and a commitment to the
Church’s historic teaching. I will ask careful questions, challenge where
necessary, and work graciously with others.
About me…
I am married to Andrew and we have one son, St John. I endeavour (but
often fail) to keep fit. My husband and I are members of the RHS
Rhododendron Camellia and Magnolia Society, helping to save rare and
endangered species. I love all things horticultural and gardening.
I was born in inner-city Birmingham where I was in the choir of an Anglo-
Catholic Church, St Gregory the Great. As a teenager I went to Italy with
Operation Mobilisation on a youth evangelistic mission. At Birmingham
University law faculty I started what became a thriving christian union.
I have served a variety of churches over the years and understand their
pressures and problems. At St. Germain’s Edgbaston, a huge building with a
small congregation, I was on the PCC and we successfully saved the church
from threatened demolition. At St Mark’s Church, Nottingham, I helped in
women's groups, Sunday schools and catering for outreach events. I have
attended two joint-benefice village churches in the Sevenoaks area and I
have used my legal expertise in resolving complex High Court cases
concerning historic church trusts. I currently help in the 8am Communion
Service in an active church in the Sevenoaks area where I’m fully involved.
I’m privileged to be on the PCC, the Deanery Synod, the Diocesan Synod,
the Diocesan Patronage committee and the Bishop’s Council and have been
able to see Bishop Jonathan’s clear missional vision for church growth
developing. Advancing this vision has my wholehearted support.
St John’s Chatham, a now lively, renovated, historic, city centre
“Waterloo” church is an example of transformational growth. I would like to
see this experience and learning shared more widely and applied in other
Dioceses.
P R O P O S E R :
Andrew Coates
S E C O N D E R :
Peter Scott
Watch Diane's
two-minute video
introduction.

Some relevant skills and experience
Legal
I have experience in legislative drafting and legal interpretation; useful
when considering Church of England governance matters. I was part of
the Tax Law Rewrite project, drafting legislation. Decades dealing with
legislation, government policy, public consultations and numerous
governance boards mean I can play a role in ensuring that General Synod
measures are fully and carefully considered.
Safeguarding
As a governor of a large Church of England School where I was
safeguarding governor (and also on the finance committee) I had
extensive training in safeguarding. The Church today deals with complex
human and social issues. I would like to offer my substantial
safeguarding experience to General Synod and would bring a
commitment to rigorous, transparent, and compassionate practice.
Financial areas
My experience at PwC, as a tax lawyer and as a financial governor
enables me to scrutinise financial policy. I would like to see Church of
England funding support growth and renewal in parishes facing
particular challenges, ensuring that resources reach frontline mission and
ministry.
Multi-cultural family
I come from a mixed race background. My father was Indian, my mother
Scottish. Growing up within both cultures has taught me to listen across
differences and appreciate how questions of identity can be
experienced from different perspectives.
If I’m elected to General Synod…
I believe I could contribute particularly to Synod’s debates about how we
spend our money, help more young people grow in faith, respond to
issues including racial equality, disability, and mental health. I am
committed to the Church’s historic teaching on marriage as the lifelong
union of one man and one woman.
I am not afraid to ask questions and challenge where necessary -
whether on finance, education, safeguarding, or how we navigate
cultural change but still be faithful to the Gospel.
My experience spans high- and low-church traditions and large, small,
inner-city, suburban and village churches. It has given me insight into the
different pressures churches experience and the burdens carried by their
parishioners.
I would be very grateful for your support in the election and hope that
you will give me your highest available preference.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my candidacy.

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