Trustees

Daniel Burton, President

I was born and brought up in Lancashire and was a Baptist Minister before moving into the Anglican ministry in 1994. I served as a short-term mission partner with the Church Mission Society in Ramallah in the 1980s and this awakened my interest in the situation Christians face in that region. I heard of BibleLands at that time and decided I would like to be involved.

After ten years of parish ministry in South Wales, I returned north in July 2003 to take up a parish post in inner-city Manchester.

Hugh Bradley, Chair
I graduated from University College London in Economics and Economic History in 1972 and joined Debenhams PLC on their Graduate Training Scheme. I progressed through a number of positions to become a Regional Sales and Operations Director in 1989 and in 1996 I joined Debenhams Management Board as Communications Director.

I took early retirement from Debenhams in 2004 and was invited to become a trustee, having been a member of the BibleLands' Trading Committee since 1998. I was appointed as Chair of Trustees in October 2009.

Rev Brian Jolly, Vice Chair
I was ordained in 1982 and have served as a minister of United Reformed Churches in Blackburn, Bolton and Stockport.

I have been a frequent visitor to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory for 25 years and have led many groups of visitors from the UK and Europe to engage with the lands of the Bible and the indigenous churches.

Vicky Smith, Treasurer
I am a qualified accountant and have many years experience in both the public and private sector. I currently work for the NHS and am Head of Corporate Accounts and Systems for NHS Yorkshire and the Humber.

I became involved with BibleLands five years ago and am currently the Treasurer.

I am married with three children and enjoy reading, walking, tennis, skiing and travelling with my family.

Dr Hugh Boulter
I have a background in teaching, local government and charity management. During the 1980s I was Director of the World-wide Education Service and have since worked with a number of charities as director, trustee and fundraiser. My local government experience as an education officer included primary schools, finance and administration. I have taught in primary and secondary schools in Nigeria and the UK.

My first degree was in History from Oxford and my doctorate from Bristol was in Christian-Muslim dialogue. I received an MBE in 2000 for my work with the National Council of Boards of Visitors of Prisons. I worship at St Mark's Englefield and am involved at local, Diocesan and national level in helping Christians to engage with those of other faiths.

Douglas Callander
I am an architect and married to Levette. We have two children and two grandchildren. I have been involved in numerous and varied charities working in India and Africa, including education work and the design of buildings.

In 1973 I visited Lebanon with my wife and was struck by the plight of the Palestinians in the camps. I started sponsoring a child in Ramallah through BibleLands and have been involved and raising money ever since. This has included six bike rides to raise funds for the Nazareth School of Nursing.

Rev Michael Cleaves
I was born in South Wales and went to university in Cardiff where I studied languages, followed by theology. I have been a Baptist Minister since 1975 and have served in churches in London, Blackburn, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Cardiff and currently Nottingham. I was recently appointed Bishop by the Baptist Church of Georgia.

I went on a BibleLands pilgrimage in 1992, visiting many of our Overseas Partners. My various interests in peace and development then fuelled my commitment to BibleLands. I have been married to Eirlys for 36 years and we have two adult sons.

Judy Hackney
I have worked as a nurse, and principally a health visitor, both in the UK and Latin America. I have travelled widely and enjoy meeting people from different countries and backgrounds.

A BibleLands pilgrimage to Egypt in 2003 sparked my interest in the charity. The areas of health, special needs, education and community development are all close to my heart.

Dr Brian McGucken
I qualified in medicine, trained as a paediatrician and worked in Ireland and Nigeria before becoming a Consultant paediatrician in Wigan. I took early retirement in 2002 and have since developed my interest in education as both a school and university governor, and in the local community as a parish councillor. I am also a member of the ministry team in my local parish church.

I became involved with BibleLands over 25 years ago when I sponsored a nurse in her training at Nazareth School of Nursing and my interest has continued since then.

Joanna Robertson
I worked as a registered nurse and midwife and finished my career as Head of Nursing for Wiltshire Health Authority and consultant to the Department of Health. I have been a board member of West Dorset and Bath health authorities and a magistrate in adult and youth courts for 30 years. I have also been a Mental Health Act Manager since 1983 and a past member of prison boards in Dorset and Wiltshire.

I have just completed six years as Churchwarden in a very busy parish and have three daughters, seven grandsons but only one granddaughter.

Lisa Toner
I am a Site Library Manager at the Lancaster campus of the University of Cumbria. I have service wide responsibility for Equality and Diversity issues and ensure that we cater for any students with physical disabilities or special learning requirements. I have served as an Elder in my church for three years and also as Church Secretary. I am married and have two sons. I have also written several children's books under the pen name of Lisa Bruce.

I have been interested in the Middle East and a supporter of BibleLands since working there the summer before going to university. A more recent visit to Israel and the West Bank increased my desire to help those struggling with injustice and hardship.

Dr Cyril Young
Before retirement, as a Gynaecological and Obstetrics Consultant, I oversaw the building of the New Greenwich Hospital. I am Deputy Lieutenant for Greenwich and have a son and daughter, both in their twenties.

I first heard of BibleLands through the Christmas cards and carol sheets and my wife became a trustee in 1984. One of my reasons for being involved is that I feel as Western Christians we need to understand that we are not the 'original' Christians and learn from those who still live in the Middle East.