We are delighted to announce that following a recent open recruitment process, Brian Wickens has been appointed as the new Managing Director at Capernwray. Brian was previously Vice-President (Integration) at GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare with a strong track record of strategic leadership and developing teams. For many years he, his wife Liz and his now adult children have been supporters of Capernwray as guests and leaders at our holidays.
The appointment was made by the Board of Trustees. Seidel Abel Boanerges, Dean of Ministerial Formation at Spurgeon’s College, said on behalf of the trustees: “We are delighted to appoint Brian as the new Managing Director of Capernwray. Brian not only brings an excellent blend of strong commercial and leadership experience to the organisation to ensure that the ministry continues to be resilient going forward, but also a pastoral and evangelistic heart to see people’s lives being transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Brian said: “My personal connection with Capernwray began as a teenager in Northern Ireland, attending International Youth Weeks and this relationship has developed and strengthened via the holiday programme over the subsequent years.
My family and I have been blessed in many ways by the Torchbearers’ ministries and the friendships we have made through them. We have brought youth groups to holiday weeks and our adult children discovered more of their identity in Christ while attending the Torchbearers International Bible Schools at Timberline (USA) and Tauernhof (Austria). We have experienced first-hand the transforming presence of Jesus through residential ministry and believe whole-heartedly in its enduring value.
I am looking forward to listening, learning, serving and leading the staff and the ministry. I pray that God will write this next chapter in, and through all our lives, as we work together to serve and build His church.”
Mark Thomas, Director Emeritus and son of founder Major Ian Thomas said: “Brian is eager to take on a leadership role at Capernwray under Torchbearers International and be part of a ministry that shares the life and light of Christ in Bible School, holiday programmes and the varied outreach opportunities. Brian enjoyed visits to Capernwray as a teenager and has subsequently brought young people here over the years so I am delighted to hear that he will join the team as managing director at this important time.”
Brian and Liz will move from Oxfordshire to take up the post and will start at Capernwray in March 2022.