Dr Linsay Cunningham becomes the new Director of Faith and Public Life

It is with great pleasure that the Church of England announces Dr. Linsay Cunningham as its new Director of Faith and Public Life. Linsay is the Group Director of Strategy and Partnerships at NHS Humber Health Partnership, one of the biggest hospital groups in the NHS, before joining the National Church Institutions.

Linsay has worked in local politics, as a political researcher at the House of Commons, and as a charity leader, including with the Girls’ Brigade, where she developed their international networks.

”Linsay most recently worked for the NHS, creating regional alliances and spearheading participation in significant change initiatives. Linsay is a Prince2 qualified program manager with a PhD in international politics. In addition, she serves on Family Matters York’s trust.

The Faith and Public Life team, which is headquartered at Lambeth Palace but employs people all over the nation, is in charge of the Church of England’s national engagement with public policy, ethics, and political life, relationships with other churches and faith communities, and theological support for the Church’s concerns.

”In addition to directly supporting the ministries of the Archbishops of York and Canterbury as well as the 26 bishops who serve in the House of Lords, the team is formally accountable to the Archbishops’ Council. The wide scope of the Church’s mission and connections throughout the entire nation are reflected in its broad remit”.

In his capacity as Director of Faith in Public Life, Linsay will be in charge of making the most of the Church of England’s special position as the established Church in contributing a unique Christian voice to issues of public policy, public ethics, and support for the common good. Additionally, she will assist the Church in fostering constructive and collaborative relationships”.

”I am delighted to welcome Linsay,” stated Mark Sheard, Chair of the Mission and Public Affairs Council. She joins during a period of opportunity as well as challenge. She is the ideal candidate to lead our outstanding Faith and Public Life team in overcoming obstacles and grasping opportunities because of her visionary outlook and demonstrated leadership abilities”.

”I am very happy to be welcoming Linsay as a new colleague and member of the Archbishops’ Council’s senior management group,” stated William Nye, Director General. She will approach our work with a variety of experiences and a new viewpoint”.

”Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Richard Chapman, the Interim Director of Faith and Public Life, for his excellent leadership of the team in the wake of our colleague Richard Sudworth’s untimely death at the end of last year. Richard, thank you, and welcome, Linsay.

”Commenting on her appointment, Linsay said: “I am honoured and delighted to be taking up this new role. When so much in our politics and public life seems divided and divisive, the work of the Faith and Public Life team is more important than ever. I am really looking forward to working alongside the team to support the Church to speak with grace and truth into our national debates.”