The international church charity “Mission to Seafarers” is getting a new General Secretary.
Peter Rouch is taking over the post at the Mission from Andrew Wright, who is retiring in September this year after almost twelve years at the helm of the organisation, it was announced.[ds_preview]
Rouch was appointed to the post “after a thorough selection process” by the Mission’s Board of Seafarers. He takes up his job on 1 July, ensuring a handover period between him and Andrew.
The Mission to Seafarers provides help and support to the 1.89 million men and women “who put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep our global economy going”, according to its self-description. It works in over 200 ports in 50 countries, with chaplains and volunteers caring for seafarers of all ranks, nationalities and faiths.
Chairman Tom Boardley said today: “Andrew Wright, has done so much to develop and transform the mission during his tenure and we are deeply indebted to him for his more than ten years of leadership. We are confident that Peter will maintain this momentum and continue to build on our important role as a leading provider of welfare services to seafarers around the world.” Wright said he was confident that the leadership of the mission “will be in the very best hands” in the exciting times ahead.
Rouch was active at Barclays Bank
Rouch worked in the financial sector before his “spiritual activities”. He worked at Barclays Bank for almost a decade, most recently as deputy director of finance and strategic planning. After training for ordination in the Church of England, he was a vicar in London, was awarded a research fellowship, worked as a chaplain at Oxford University and was vicar in two parishes in an area of Manchester. He moved to Hampshire, UK, as Archdeacon in the Diocese of Winchester and almost 10 years later as a consultant to Lambeth Palace. He now lives and works in Sheffield, UK, as Chief Executive of Church Army UK & Ireland.
Commenting on his appointment, Rouch said: “I am very grateful to have been invited to become General Secretary of The Mission to Seafarers. It is a charity with a considerable heritage, a strong track record of valuable impact, broad and deep representation and very exciting opportunities to develop support for the world’s seafarers and their often struggling families in a dynamic and sometimes risky world.”
