children's ministry,church commissioners,clergy numbers,clergy wellbeing,established church,finance,finances,gospel,living in love and faith,pcc,safeguarding,stewardship,sunday school,vocations,witness,youth

Over the past five years, it has been an immense privilege to serve the Diocese of Rochester on General Synod. And I’d
consider it a huge joy to continue serving in this way for five more years, should you choose to elect me.
Why am I re-standing for General Synod?
To use my experience to serve the Church
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Over my five-year term on General Synod, I have extensively engaged in all aspects of the Synod agenda by
being present at every meeting in person and so become thoroughly familiar with the crucial governance
processes of the Church of England. I have sought to listen, learn and interact with the critical issues facing the
Church of England. With this in mind, I would be able to “hit the ground running” in a second term.
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Given my professional background in financial services, I have taken a particular interest in financial matters
on Synod, ranging from the £1.6 billion triennium spending plan to clergy stipends, pensions and parochial fees.
I’ve also actively made use of the “Questions” entitlement allotted to all Synod members to explore in greater
depth the investment management fees paid by the Church Commissioners for their investment portfolio. In
all of this, it’s my firmly held belief that sound financial stewardship is essential if we are to build a sustainable
future for the church.
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I would be honoured to continue serving the Diocese, bringing both professional expertise and extensive
synodical experience to bear on the debates and decisions that will shape the Church in the years ahead. And
I would love to serve in this way because I care very deeply for the Church of England, positioned as it is to
proclaim Christ afresh to this and future generations. This is when it’s at its wonderful best, and I consider
helping in any small way towards this aim to be a most extraordinary privilege.
To champion the parish
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As a national, established church, the Church of England has a unique role to play in our country and wider
society. The beauty of the parish system means that there is an outpost for the saving gospel message of Jesus
Christ in every town and every village of the nation. To belong to such a structure is a most precious gift to be
treasured and preserved for those who come after us. Therefore, I would be an advocate for parish churches
to have the resources and clergy they need to effectively reach more people. This must include a renewed focus
on engaging younger generations, so that our churches become both younger and more diverse, enabling the
Church of England and its Christ-like witness to extend far into the future.
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The local parish is the bedrock of the wider Church. For that reason, Synod should remain attentive to the
practical issues affecting parishes every day, including clergy numbers, parish offer commitments and funding
for ministry.

To ensure all voices are heard
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A healthy General Synod benefits from a diversity of voices and perspectives. As someone still just about
holding on to my thirties (!), I hope to bring the perspective of an age group that has historically been
underrepresented at Synod.
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At the same time, I recognise that I would be elected to serve people of all ages and backgrounds across the
Diocese. My aim would be to represent others with humility, integrity and respect, and a willingness to listen
carefully to different views and experiences.
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I am committed to representing the voice of the laity across the Diocese. Having served on deanery and
diocesan synods for more than a decade, I understand the importance of connecting national discussions with
local realities and ensuring parish perspectives are heard.
To contribute to important debates with grace and respect
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Over the next five years, Synod will discuss many important matters, such as safeguarding reform, diocesan
finances, vocations and clergy wellbeing and reports from the groups which emerged from the Living in Love
and Faith process.
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As I engage with these important issues, I seek to be led by God’s word in the Bible, adhering to the Church’s
historic received teaching and guided by the Holy Spirit, while at the same time being attentive and alert to the
voice of the Church. My approach would be rooted in listening carefully, engaging thoughtfully, contributing
constructively, and treating everyone with grace and respect, especially where we disagree.
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Alongside this, I would seek to use the professional skills I have developed in finance and investment
management, particularly as the Church considers its long-term financial sustainability.
A bit more about me
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Born in Essex in 1987, I live in Tunbridge Wells in Kent and have worshipped at St John’s Church since moving
to the town in 2010. I met my wife there and we married at the church in 2019.
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Not only has my heart for the gospel and the Church of England grown in the last five years but so has my
family! When I was first elected to General Synod five years ago, my wife was expecting our first baby. Now
five years on, we are parents to three boys: aged 4, 2 and 2 months.
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For my day job, I work in the financial services industry in the City of London and have done so for more than
10 years, building a career in investment management, specifically US equities (ask me if you’re bored…)
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In my spare time I play several sports to a poor standard and remain, somehow, an avid follower of my
hometown football team Colchester United. Despite being the “best team in Essex” they remain frustratingly
mediocre.
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I have had a life-long association with the Church of England; from being baptised as a two-month-old, through
Sunday School, boy chorister and then serving in a variety of ways as an adult. I have been involved in youth
and children’s ministry at my church and have experience as an occasional lay preacher. I have served on PCC,
Deanery Synod and Diocesan Synod for over 10 years and was formerly part of the Church of England Youth
Council. For the past five years, I have also had the pleasure of being lay chair of Tunbridge Wells Deanery
Synod.
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As a younger person and a committed Anglican with an active faith in Jesus, I would look to bring energy and
passion to a role on General Synod, and it would be a huge privilege to continue representing the laity in the
Diocese in this way.
Thank you for reading my election address, I hope that you will be able to prayerfully consider my nomination. If any of
the items here resonate with you, then I would greatly appreciate your highest preference vote. But most of all, I would
encourage you to simply use your vote, to ensure that we have healthy local representation at General Synod from the
widest possible cross-section of the electorate. Please do get in touch if you would like to discuss anything further.