war
I have supported inter-faith activities such as the joint Christian-Jewish- Muslim pilgrimage to the top of Ben Lomond, as I believe that religious differences do not have to lead to war.
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.
Although recently retired from that role, I hold a number of arts/cultural leadership roles including Gabrieli (very active in music engagement for young people), The Grange Festival, and a global charity In Place of War (supporting artists, musicians and grassroots cultural organisations in communities affected by conflict, climate change and systemic inequality - enabling change).
Chair - In Place of War
I have sponsored and lived alongside refugees after the war began in Ukraine.
Four are Naval History books including Surgeons of the Royal Navy in the First World War and The Distinguished Service Medal 1914-1938 and also two books relating to the history of the St John Ambulance Brigade.
Magi imaginations conceive elysian future, conjuring peace, a world beyond war.
Share household with Ukrainian family who welcomed me into their family, and I welcomed them into my home. o Two boys have grown up here & gone to university & grad school, grandmother from Ukraine has joined once the war started.
A Voice of Hope and National Unity: I have become increasingly anxious about the state of our nation - our identity (English, British?), the increasing likelihood of war with Russia or Iran, national insolvency, lawlessness, de-population (you can watch my Synod speech in July 2026), deep political polarisation, rising levels of anti- semitism, and anxiety about climate change, Islamism and mass immigration.
I later headed up teams working in areas of natural and war-torn disasters.
My students were Palestinian refugees either descendants of those who fled in 1948 or they had fled across the river to Jordan following the Six Day War of 1967.
At a time of great uncertainty about the future, and of fear of the effects of climate change and the risk of war, as well as lack of confidence in our political system to solve our economic and social problems, many are seeking hope and security.
I will support anything that helps us, at every level in the Church, to recover confidence in the truth of what we proclaim, and to proclaim it boldly and clearly and to live it out too, so that the people of our land can know and see that our God is good. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13.35) The party spirit in the Church is worse now, I believe, than it has ever been in my lifetime, and a Church at war with itself will never be able to fulfil its vocation.
To speak out on the most pressing issues of the day from climate catastrophe, war, famine, disease, human trafficking, domestic violence, homelessness, the epidemic of drug and alcohol dependency that blights so many lives, to a skewed form of market capitalism that, while benefitting some, disadvantaged many others and laid waste to once thriving industrial communities; to the terrifying consequences of power, wealth and influence being concentrated in the hands of a small clique of avaricious, egotistical, narcissistic monopolists in the technology industry, who ally themselves to equally egotistical politicians enabling them to further concentrate power in their own hands and institutions at the expense of the ordinary citizen, while at the same time commodifying what it means to be human by reducing each person to datasets to be leveraged for profit or traded in some grotesque form of digital slavery.
Our world faces severe crises: war, mass migration, economic instability, and climate anxiety.
The Fellowship of Reconciliation was founded in 1914 in response to the horrors of war in Europe.
My academic foundation spans a PGCE in History from Oxford University, a Certificate of Theology from St Mellitus College (following the BA programme over 4 years), PhD candidacy/lecturer in Russian politics at Cranfield University, an MA in War Studies from King’s College London (Dissertation Distinction), and a 2:1 BA (Double Hons) in Russian & German.
I was the Command Legal Adviser to the HQ 1st Armoured Division in the Iraq War 2003 and was Human Rights Lawyer of the Year 2011.
I was responsible for overseeing some of the targeting during the Iraq War 2003 and the conduct of the military occupation in the UK Area of Operations.
I seek to ensure that the church embodies the priesthood of all believers and is committed to the flourishing of all vocations I have been an active member of General Synod and have been called to speak in debates on a wide I have been an active member of General Synod and have been called to speak in debates on a wide range of topics, including estates ministry, pastoral care of those experiencing the loss of babies, working class vocations, the effects of misogyny in the church and the impact of the current war in Gaza on interfaith relationships That experience has helped me understand how Synod works, how decisions are shaped, and how important it is for clergy voices from across the diocese to be heard clearly and respectfully.
I feel the church should speak into issues such as the cost of living, human dignity, peace rather than war, interfaith understanding and welcome for refugees and migrants.
These are not abstract interests; they are the daily reality of ministry in a region marked by war, displacement, resilience, and profound Christian witness.
My ministry in Poland and my oversight of Christ Church Kyiv have also given me a particular perspective on what it means for the Church to remain present, faithful and hopeful in the midst of war and displacement.
The experiences of Anglican communities in Poland and Ukraine inform our shared decision- making, especially on issues of peace, reconciliation, and support for those affected by war and displacement.
This perspective has informed my two speeches in General Synod debates on the war in Ukraine, in which I drew on my knowledge of Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
My calling is to be a PEACE Maker as we experience the challenge of living in a War torn area with uncertainties & challenges to worship every Sunday.
The C o E, is in a special position to offer a Christian Peace presence in every International community, and in Europe we bring the Good News of Jesus to varied denominations, cultures, War conflict areas & Orthodox Churches.