On Saturday 24 June, twenty people will be ordained as deacons by the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, at Southwark Cathedral. Find out more about our new deacons below – please pray for them and the communities where they will serve their curacies.
Croydon Episcopal Area
Kerry Jane Evans
Kerry was born in Kent and later moved to Surrey where she began work as a flight attendant and met her husband. They have three grown-up sons. After gaining a degree in Youth Work and Ministry, schools ministry became a focus and her passion for sharing the Bible with children in school took off. Kerry Jane is now Head of Bible Society’s Open the Book schools ministry in England and Wales. She enjoys learning to dance, supporting local theatre and finding new places to explore with family and friends. Kerry will serve her curacy with the Horley Team Ministry.
Jon Fox
Jon was born and attended school in Lincolnshire before studying Theology at university in London. After university he qualified as a teacher of Religious Studies, a career he has enjoyed for 25 years. In many ways his vocation to teach helped him to make sense of his vocation to priesthood. Outside of his work, he contributed to support his local community as a School Governor and Officer in
London’s Cadet Force. Jon’s family are keen gardeners, an activity he likes as well – he enjoys attending concerts, keeping fit, and going on long walks. Jon will serve his curacy at All Saints with St Margaret, Upper Norwood.
Ian Nott
Ian was born in Bristol but grew up in Northamptonshire. He is a qualified social worker, with experience in working with adults, young people, and their families in settings related to mental health, brain injuries, youth justice and safeguarding teams. Ian is married and has two grown up children as well as two step-children. Ian enjoys being outdoors and close to nature where he enjoys mountaineering, rock climbing, water sports and travelling. Ian will serve his curacy with the church of The Good Shepherd, Carshalton Beeches.
Joshua Pollard
Joshua grew up in rural Bedfordshire before living in St Albans City. He trained and subsequently operated as long-haul aircrew. He was inspired by and spiritually nourished through regular pilgrimaging to the ecumenical and contemplative French monastic community of Taizé and the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. He enjoys singing choral music and is a keen liturgist who seeks to help enable people to praise God through holy worship. He has volunteered in a variety of chaplaincy roles. He is passionate about supporting those who are forgotten or marginalised in society. Joshua will serve his curacy with St Alban the Martyr, South Norwood.
Kingston Episcopal Area
Gilly Bailey-Smith
Gilly hails from Essex, relocated to London to pursue a degree in Dance and Theology. After teaching dance for several years, her dedication to working with children led her to work in school chaplaincy. In September, she will assume a new role as a school chaplain, while also serving as a trustee for Nine Elms Arts Ministry. Gilly resides in South London with her husband and three adult sons. She takes delight in attending theatre performances, walking her dog on Clapham Common, and participating in Pilates classes. Gilly will serve her curacy with St James, Clapham.
Dr Jack Belloli
Jack grew up in Isleworth, west London, where he was raised Roman Catholic and educated by the Benedictines before moving to Cambridge to study English. After further study and travel he returned to Cambridge, where he wrote a doctorate on British experimental theatre of the last 20 years. Here he began discerning a call to the CofE and to its priesthood. He continues to enjoy writing about contemporary theatre and poetry, as well as swimming, traveling, cinema and community organising. He is looking forward to beginning ministry in a city that remains home. Jack will serve his curacy with St Paul’s Church in Wandsworth.
Grey Collier
Grey was born and brought up in Surrey and has lived in south London all his adult life. He has spent his career to date as a human rights lawyer, most recently working as Advocacy Director for the civil liberties organisation Liberty. He is strongly committed to social justice and inclusion, and is a charity trustee. He lives in Nunhead with his three teenage children, and enjoys walking the dog, weightlifting and staring at the sea. Grey will serve his curacy at St John with St Andrew, Waterloo.
Sarah Cornick
Sarah was born in Malaysia to a Malay mum and an Irish dad. She was brought up as a Muslim and lived in Saudi Arabia until she was 12. She gained a BA in Philosophy and History before going on to an MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies. She then trained as a barrister, practising civil law, before joining the Government Legal Department. She is currently doing the far more challenging job of being a stay-at-home mum to Joey and Adam. She is married to Rob, and she enjoys going to festivals, cooking curries, and writing doggerel. Sarah will serve her curacy with the parish of St Thomas with St Stephen, Telford Park.
Sarah Curl
Sarah was brought up in Somerset, before moving to London to attend Drama School. She spent many years working in the Criminal Justice Sector. She lived in Glastonbury since 2011. For the final year of her studies she has been on a placement with a rural parish of Wookey, Henton and Coxley. Previously Sarah was an active server at Wells Cathedral and for the last five years worked full time in educational chaplaincy for The Blue School and Wells Cathedral School. Sarah is married to David and has two children and enjoys spending time with her family. Sarah will serve her curacy with St Margaret, Putney.
Jonny Fitter
Jonny grew up in South London. He gained a degree in politics at the University of Sheffield, before spending some years in the mission world in the UK, US and Thailand, as well as working recently as an Assistant Pastor for an Anglican church in South London. He is a keen footballer, Leeds United fan and NFL enthusiast, loves playing and listening to live music and is regularly found trying his hand at cooking dishes from around the world. Jonny will serve his curacy with the parish of St Michael & All Angels with St Stephen, Wandsworth.
Natalie Jones
Natalie was born and brought up in Warwickshire. She has a background in youth ministry and has spent time working for the Anglican Church in North Yorkshire and France. Natalie loves sending postcards, drinking good coffee and discovering new English Heritage blue plaques around London. Natalie will serve her curacy with St Peter’s Church , Norbiton.
Dr Matthew Linfoot
Matthew was brought up in Canterbury, and studied History at Cambridge. He has experienced various careers as an actor, a teacher, a radio producer and presenter, and for the last 20 years, as a university academic, specialising in audio and podcasting. In his spare time, Matthew, with his partner Nicholas, enjoys cycling, swimming and gardening. Matthew will serve his curacy with All Saints, Tooting.
Alex Mutyaba
Alex was born and brought up in Uganda, coming to London to study. He trained as a Chartered Accountant becoming a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and gained a master’s degree in Accounting. He worked in accounting firms in south London preparing personal, small, and medium-sized business Statutory Accounts and Taxation and also served as a Lay Reader for a number of years. He is married and likes traveling and visiting historical ecclesiastical sites. He recently visited the Holy Land and was moved to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Alex will serve his curacy with St Mark’s, Kennington.
Dr Hannah Swithinbank
Hannah grew up in Cornwall, before moving to St Andrews to study and then to London to work. She has a PhD in Ancient History and worked for Tearfund in their Theology and Networking team before training for ordination. She trained at Westcott House and the University of Cambridge, where she has developed particular interest in topics that relate theology, history, and empire. Hannah enjoys reading and photography, going to movies, plays, and concerts, and she would like to be a better gardener. Hannah will serve her curacy with the United Benefice of St Philip and All Saints with St Luke, Kew.
Sarah Williams
Sarah was born and brought up in South Wales. She studied Law and French at university and went on to practise as a solicitor for 10 years before having a family and becoming a full-time parent. She is married with three teenage children. Sarah enjoys travelling, word puzzles, reading, keeping fit and watching sport, particularly rugby and football. Sarah will serve her curacy at All Saints, Kingston upon Thames.
Woolwich Episcopal Area
Andy Blacknell
Andy has spent almost all his life in south east London. He is married to Alex and they have four grown-up children. He was a management consultant for over 20 years and is the author of LEAD, 50 Models for Success in work and life. He is an Associate of the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication and a chaplain based in a London prison. Andy is a regular at Park Run and enjoys watching and playing most sports. Andy will serve his curacy with the parish of Herne Hill.
Chris Henriette
Chris was born in Greenwich, London to Seselwa Parents from Seychelles. Chris has lived his whole life in Lewisham, south east London. He studied Cognitive Science at the University of Hertfordshire. Chris has had a long career working with young people and children in south east London, who are being affected by adverse life circumstances. Chris is married and has three children. In his spare time, Chris trains at a Korean martial arts gym in Catford where he helps teach the youngest members of the club and is working towards his Black Belt. Chris will serve his curacy with the parish of The Good Shepherd, with St Peter, Lee.
Ivan Ibuno
Ivan was born in Aldershot, Hampshire, and spent his early years there before moving to Bermondsey, London. Subsequently, they relocated to Nigeria where he spent his formative years. In 1990, he returned to the UK, where he met Itohan in May of 1991. He worked in the IT industry for more than two decades. He was licensed in 2017 as Lay Reader and until Ordination training he worked as a Healthcare Chaplain with Guy’s and St Thomas hospital. He is married to Itohan and they have four children, Ivan Jr., Ivana, Jada and Jadau. Ivan will serve his curacy with the parish of St Phillip and St Mark, Camberwell.
Dom Toms
Dom is from South London, where he studied journalism at university. For more than a decade he worked as a sub-editor at a national newspaper, while serving as a lay leader in his church in the Diocese of Southwark. He lives in Deptford with
his wife Alice and three young children, and enjoys running, cooking, and has a complicated relationship with his, sometimes favourite and (least favourite) football team Tottenham Hotspur. Dom will serve his curacy with the parish of St James, Kidbrooke.
Peter Welby
Peter was born in London but spent most of his childhood in the Midlands, Northwest and Northeast. After leaving school, he spent a year working for a church in Yemen, before going to university in York, where he studied Philosophy and Politics. After graduation he spent two years in Egypt; on his return in 2013, he joined and later led a small think tank researching religious extremism. He also ran a consultancy specialising in religion and politics in the Middle East and North Africa. Peter is married to Jen, with a young son, Simeon. In his spare time Peter enjoys woodturning. Peter will serve his curacy with the parish of St Mary Magdalen with St Olave, St John and St Luke, Bermondsey.
