Meet The Directors of the Board of Education
Archdeacon Michael Everitt – Chair of the Board
michael.everitt@blackburn.anglican.org
I grew up in a large village in the Midlands, attending the local schools before studying in London, Birmingham and Rome. I was ordained into the diocese in 1992 and have remained connected to it throughout my ministry. From 1995-98, I was seconded to our link diocese in South Africa, working on community development and being the first non-Dutch reformed lecturer of theology in the local university.
I then spent 4 years as senior chaplain at St Martin’s College before becoming Rector of Standish, as well as area dean of Chorley and priest in charge of Appley Bridge. Since 2011, I have been Archdeacon of Lancaster and, from 2014, Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education. After involvement in all levels of education, including serving as a governor in different roles, not least as chair of 5 schools (secondary and primary, church and community). I was elected to General Synod in 2013.
Gerald Burrows
After taking a degree in Pure and Applied Mathematics and a postgraduate degree in Elementary Particle Physics at the University of Wales, I was a Scientific Officer at Rutherford High Energy Laboratory (now Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory) for a number of years before entering teaching. I taught at Blackburn College for over 30 years before retiring. I have been a member of Deanery and Diocesan Synods in Blackburn Diocese for over 40 years, and for 25 of those years also as a lay member of General Synod for Blackburn Diocese. I am married to Shelley with four grown children and five grandchildren.
Natalie Cox
Natalie is married to Tim and together they have three children; two of which are currently in primary school. She is an active member of All Saints Church Preston and enjoys drumming in the music group. She is currently a mature student at UCLan studying a BSc (hons) in Neuroscience.
Canon Andrew Holliday
Rector of Standish St Wilfrid since 2011, made a Canon of Blackburn Cathedral in September 2012; formally Vicar of St Peter’s Darwen. Born 1962, following a career in catering, for nine years, selected for Ordination and in 1989 went to St Stephen’s House. Ordained in 1992 to the Blackburn Diocese. Served curacies in Blackpool and Poulton-le-Fylde. First Incumbency St James’ Leyland 1997 – 2004, Area Dean from 2002 – 2004. In 2004 appointed to the Team Ministry of St Peter’s Darwen with St Paul’s Hoddlesden. Andrew is married to Vanessa, in 1997, who is a Civil Servant, played cricket for Lancashire, then coached women’s cricket, now scores locally and nationally. Interests are, when time allows, cooking, history – especially biographies, visiting the Lake District, and sharing in the glories of the beautiful building that Andrew along with all at St Wilfrid’s have a share in caring for.
Rev Tim Horobin
Archdeacon Mark Ireland
mark.ireland@blackburn.anglican.org
Mark Ireland has worked in town-centre, rural and suburban churches for the last 30 years. He believes social action and evangelism belong together, and has spent the last nine years leading two churches in Telford. He has also served on Archbishops’ Council.
Mark Ireland began his ministry in this diocese and has recently returned as Archdeacon of Blackburn. He is passionate about the Bible, prayer and making disciples, and also about skiing, fell-walking and learning to sail.
Carolyn Johnson
A practising family barrister at Cobden House Chambers in Manchester specialising in all aspects of Children’s proceedings.
Elected to the General Synod in November 2015 and a member of the Legal Aid committee.
Vice- Chairman of Adoption Matters, the Blackburn and Chester Diocesan Adoption Agency for many years.
A director of CIDARI the Blackburn Diocese Multi –Academy Trust and Chairman of its Our People Committeee.
Previous chairman of the Primary School attended by our children
Rev Philip Venables
After university I was a secondary school teacher for five years. Ordained in 1988 I served a curacy in Gillingham, Kent, then incumbencies in South London and the Wirral before becoming vicar of Whittle-le-Woods at the end of 2012. I have been a governor of church schools since 1993 and my present parish has two CofE aided schools which enjoy very good relations with the parish church.