Quakers in Britain agrees new leadership structure
Quakers in Britain has adopted a new senior leadership structure following an independent review commissioned by trustees.
The changes will help the organisation respond to major opportunities and challenges, including fundraising, public advocacy and the introduction of a new Yearly Meeting structure.
The review was carried out by Caroline Nursey, former clerk of Britain Yearly Meeting Trustees and an experienced charity chief executive, who consulted trustees, senior staff and clerks of key committees before making recommendations.
Trustees accepted the recommendations at their meeting on 30 May.
The new senior leadership team will consist of the Recording Clerk, two Deputy Recording Clerks, a Finance Director, a Director of Programmes and a Commercial & Estates Director.
The two deputy roles will have different areas of focus. One will lead on strategy and organisational effectiveness, while the other will focus on church affairs.
Sarah Donaldson has been appointed Deputy Recording Clerk (Church Affairs). She had been serving on a fixed-term contract due to end in 2026 and was eligible to apply for the new permanent position.
She was interviewed by trustees and the Recording Clerk and appointed from 1 July.
No redundancies were needed because of the changes.
The new senior leadership team is:
- Paul Parker, Recording Clerk
- Siobhán Haire, Deputy Recording Clerk (Strategy & Effectiveness)
- Sarah Donaldson, Deputy Recording Clerk (Church Affairs)
- Vipan Narang, Finance Director
- Oliver Robertson, Director of Programmes
- Lisa San Martin, Commercial & Estates Director
Lisa San Martin is leaving at the end of August to take up a new role elsewhere, so Quakers in Britain will soon begin recruiting for a new Commercial & Estates Director.
The term "Management Meeting" will no longer be used. Instead, the group will be known as the Senior Leadership Team.
As before, collective decisions about the organisation's work will be taken through meetings for worship for business.
Trustees said the changes would ensure the leadership structure is fit for the future as Quakers in Britain continues its work as a church and charity.