General Synod Election Candidates 2026

JASON DOBB
St. Mark, Barrow (Barrow Deanery)
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 07920 280892
Address: 1 Thurlow Way, Barrow-in-Furness,
Cumbria LA14 5XP
Background
I was born in Derby 55 years ago and moved to Barrow in 1989. I am a Chartered
Engineer and Member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. I enjoy walking
in the Lake District (I have climbed all of the Wainwrights & Outlying Wainwrights,
and have completed 16 Keswick to Barrow Walks), sailing on the boat I co-own
with friends and travelling.
Whilst my parents were not regular churchgoers, I did hear the gospel through
education and friends and was confirmed at the age of 14, starting to attend my local
church regularly. I attended a meeting of the Newcastle University Christian Union
aged 19, at which everything suddenly clicked and I committed my life to Jesus.
My faith quickly grew stronger and I led a Christian Union group during my time at
Newcastle. Returning to Barrow, I joined St. Mark’s Church, where I have served in
a number of roles, including Sunday school leader, home group leader, Parish
Safeguarding Officer (since 2012), occasional preacher & PCC member (and thus
Trustee). I have volunteered for short-term missions in Germany, Newcastle-upon-
Tyne & the Canary Islands, and I have completed a Certificate in Christian Calling
and Service. I have also undertaken two terms on the Barrow deanery synod of
which I am lay chair; in this role I have supported and guided the development and
implementation of the Barrow element of The Cumbrian Way (Rising Faith Barrow).
I was elected to the Carlisle diocesan synod and bishop’s council in 2024.
Having always been interested in ships. I decided to be a naval architect at the age of

1. I came to Barrow as a trainee naval architect aged 18, studying at Newcastle

University. I worked in Barrow shipyard for 35 years, spending half of this time as
Chief Naval Architect for the Dreadnought submarine programme. My contribution
was recognised in 2020 by being the first person from outside the Ministry of
Defence to be made an honorary member of the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors.
I acted as the link between the church and the shipyard to facilitate the relaunch of
the shipyard chaplaincy as reported in the Summer 2024 edition of The Way. I
stepped back from full-time work at the end of 2024, and now work part-time as a
consultant passing on my skills, knowledge and experience to others.
What I can offer to the General Synod
Having been involved in safeguarding for 15 years, I recognise its importance to the
church’s mission, especially at a local level. I have dealt with people affected by
abuse, including victims and perpetrators. As safeguarding structures develop

further at a national level, I can see the danger of divergences between national,
diocesan and parish-level safeguarding activities, and so would like to help to drive
these developments in a way that results in coherent, effective and practicable
safeguarding arrangements at all levels.
My background in engineering and submarine naval architecture has enabled me
rapidly to see the ‘big picture’ and how everything fits together, as well as equipping
me with a research-led problem-solving approach. Whilst the Church of England is
very different from a submarine, both are complex, so I hope to be able to contribute
these skills to General Synod.
As the Church of England continues to seek to proclaim the gospel and make
disciples across the nation, new initiatives and organisations are being developed. I
would like to help the General Synod make decisions in these areas that promote
church growth whilst minimising inadvertent damage to the church’s legacy. This is
particularly noticeable in a rural diocese like Carlisle as resources become more
thinly spread.
I would like to ensure that all our churches are encouraged to see the image of God
in everyone, and so welcome all without regard to age, race, gender, ability,
background or anything else. I would like to enable churches to continue to follow
Archbishop Temple’s advice that “The Church is the only organisation that does not
exist for itself, but for those who live outside of it,” bringing people into contact
with Jesus’ gospel and encouraging them to grow as disciples in accordance with
scripture.
Nominated by:
Proposer: Mr Tony Newgarth (Carlisle Deanery)
Seconder: Mrs Alison Durston-Smith (Derwent Deanery)
Thank you for taking the time to read this; please do watch my video at
https://youtu.be/wQLGJBy1nWA and contact me with any questions you may have
or things you would like to discuss. I appreciate how difficult a task you have as an
elector for General Synod, and pray for all of us to know God’s wisdom and
discernment as we decide upon our votes. Please would you prayerfully consider
giving me the highest preference vote that you can?
With thanks, prayers and blessings in Christ,
Jason Dobb.

abuse,archbishop,chaplaincy,church growth,discernment,disciples,gospel,make disciples,mission,pcc,safeguarding,safeguarding officer,scripture,sunday school,victims