Administration
FREE METHODIST CONFERENCE OFFICE
Ian is also Hon. Conference Treasurer, overseeing the accounts and all matters financial to do with Conference and Overseas Missions. After 35 years with HSBC Bank, Ian retired at the end of 2004 having spent the previous 10 years as local Area Director. Through 2006-7 he was Chairman of a law firm, and has undertaken a number of business consultancies. His business web page is www.kairosmanagement.co.uk Born again in his mid teens through Crusaders, Ian has been heavily involved in church life in Stockport, Sandbach and now at Fulwood Free Methodist Church where he serves on the Church Preaching Team. With a wide range of interests Ian is a Governor at Myerscough Land College, a Rotarian, an Independent Member of Preston City Council's Standards and Ethics Committee, a Street Pastor, a maintenance volunteer at Cae Canol Centre, and leads the Men's Breakfast Team at Fulwood. Over the years Ian calculates he has been Treasurer to 14 different organisations! Saving the best until last - he's been married to Val for 40 years, has two sons (Mark and Paul), two lovely daughters-in-law (Emma and Becky) one grand-daughter (Anna) and one grandson (Sam).
Assisting Ian in his capacity of Treasurer is our Book-keeper, Mr John Spender. John works part time for the Free Methodist movement, he is contactable at the Office on Tuesdays and Fridays between 10 am and 2 pm. John has trained for this accountancy position over the last few years in his spare time at evening class. He is married to Ruth and has three sons (two in employment, the younger one enjoying life at theological college) and also a daughter who is still at school.
Chris has two married daughters and one son who all live south of London. All three are qualified teachers, even though there is no teacher elsewhere in the family! Her eldest daughter has two gorgeous sons, Joshua and Benjamin. Her younger daughter is proud mum to son Jackson and daughter Ava. Chris has worked in the Conference Office since June 2003 when she was employed as Superintendent Allan Ellershaw's secretary, sharing the role with Allan's wife, Sue. Allan and Sue now pastor the Carnforth church and Chris's new role in the Office has increased to cover full time hours. She can be contacted between 10 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday. |
From the beginning of 2009, our Administrator, Mr Ian Higginbotham (pictured right) assumed responsibility for oversight of the Conference Office and its staff. The Administrator's main function is to assist the National Leadership Team in implementing vision for the Free Methodist movement.
Assisting Ian in his capacity of Administrator is our Conference Office Secretary, Mrs Christine Pomfrett.