President of the Conference in 2009, he was born in Gravesend on 21 May 1947 and educated at Gillingham Grammar School, Lawrence Sheriff School for Boys, Rugby, and the University of Hull (LL.B 1968). Subsequently he gained a B.Sc. (2000) and MA (Soc.Pol.) (2006) from the Open University. From1968 to 1971 he was a member of the Rochdale Methodist Mission Team Ministry and taught law and related subjects at Rochdale College and Oldham College of Technology. He was accepted for the ministry in 1970 and trained at Wesley House Cambridge (BA 1973, MA 1977). In 1973-74 he studied in Switzerland, Italy and Israel and gained a post-graduate Certificate in Ecumenical Studies from the University of Geneva. He was ordained in 1976. Following circuit appointments in Tadcaster (1974-81) and York South (1981-7) he was appointed children's work secretary at the Division of Education and Youth (1987-1995) and general secretary of the Division (1995-6). On the creation of the Connexional Team in 1996 he served as secretary for Family and Personal Relationships (1996-2003), then as Co-ordinating Secretary (from 2008, Officer) for Legal and Constitutional Practice. From 2012 to 2014 he served the Education Project with Methodist Schools. He was chair of the Methodist Council from 2012 to 2015.

After an earlier period as Vice-President he was elected President of the European Methodist Youth Council (2010-2013). He was board member of the National Family and Parenting Institute from 1993 to 2003 and vice-chair 2000-2003, chair of the Council of Barnardo's from 1997 to 2002 and Vice-President 2004-2015, and a member of the Board of Management of the National Stepfamily Association. Responsible for the operation of the Church's complaints and discipline process, he was also closely involved in issues of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and support for victims of abuse. He died suddenly on 11 September 2015.

Publications: general editor of the series, 'God's People at Worship' and author (with John Bradford and Joan King) of Godparents (2000); contributions to Children and Holy Communion (1989), Step Carefully (1995), Unfinished Business(1995), Carefully prepared (1998), Vows and Partings (2001), Time for Action (2002).

Entry written by: BEB
Category: Person
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