Meet the Team

The Micah Challenge UK Team

Andy Clasper, Executive Director Micah Challenge UK

Andy's life ambition has always been to be a musician, but he was unfortunately not blessed with the requisite talent. Instead, after graduating from the London School of Economics, and later from the University of Edinburgh Business School, Andy worked in management consultancy and for the government before taking on his current role in 2007.

Andy is passionate about the role of the church in the world, loves a good cup of tea and has possibly the loudest laugh in history. His greatest achievements are scoring a goal in football with a scorpion kick and marrying his beautiful wife Lucy, a professional cellist, who he believes makes him talented ‘by association’.

Felicity Cowling, Partner Engagement Intern

Felicity joined the team in the summer of 2010, having just finished her degree in Japanese studies and History at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. Among other things, Felicity is responsible for working with our partners, and ensuring they are given a great experience of us and the campaign.

Felicity continues the fine tradition of pastors' kids employed by Micah. And, loving tea as she does, she fits right in! 

Tricia Foster, Short-Term Campaigns Advisor 

Tricia has been involved with Micah Challenge for a few years now, and returned this summer to do some work with churches on the What's Your Promise? campaign. Another tea-loving pastor's kid, Tricia graduated with a maths degree from Saint Olaf College in Minnesota, and then worked for the church back in the UK before starting at Micah Challenge. 

In her spare time Tricia does outdoorsy stuff and comperes at Indian weddings.  She has some weird food habits like freezing things other people don't and eating strange fruit that look and feel like eyeballs.

 

The Board of Directors

Matthew Frost, Chair (CEO – Tearfund)

Matthew has been Chief Executive of Tearfund since 2005. He has held a number of senior leadership roles in the UK business sector including time with McKinsey & Company, Rexam Plc and Bowater Plc.

Matthew also has extensive overseas experience, having worked with international relief organisation Medair in Somalia. He went on to work as Medair country director for Afghanistan where he established and directed Medair's aid programme, which included winter relief distributions, management of hospitals and the reconstruction of homes and public infrastructure.

Matthew has an MA in Economics from Cambridge and an MBA from IMD, Lausanne. He is married to Katherine and they have four young children. They attend St Mark's Church in Battersea, South West London.

Mike French (Director of Advocacy – World Vision)

Mike has been Director of Advocacy with World Vision UK since 2008. After initial studies in Engineering, Mike worked in Water Engineering Research and Consultancy in the UK and then with church-based, grass-roots development initiatives in Peru and Bolivia. He studied Theology and was ordained in the Church of England in 1992. He then completed an MA International Development.

Mike then lectured in Church and Development Issues, and in partnership with Christian Aid founded and directed an initiative in Development Awareness and Advocacy. From 2001 to 2008 he was based in Geneva, working as Rector (‘Chaplain’) of Holy Trinity Anglican Church. He took a leading role in establishing the Anglican United Nations Office in Geneva, and undertook consultancy work on behalf of ACT Development. He moved to World Vision after serving for a time on the Board of the organization.

He is married to Sarah. Their son, Tom, is 20 years old.

Paul Cowley (Executive Director – Alpha International)

Paul is Executive Director of Alpha for Prisons, Caring for Ex-Offenders and Alpha for Forces and also heads up the various areas of Social Transformation at Holy Trinity Brompton.

Paul was expelled from school at the age of 15, lived on the streets for a short while and then moved into a life of crime. This led to a prison sentence and, upon release, Paul joined the Army. He left the army after 15 years and continued his career running two fitness centres in London.

Paul became a Christian after doing an Alpha course at Holy Trinity Brompton in 1994 and became involved in prison ministry in 1996, joining the HTB staff in 1997. Paul was ordained by the Church of England in 2002 and in 2003 Alpha for Forces was launched.

Paul is married to Amanda and has two children, Clinton and Phoebe.

Steve Clifford (General Director – Evangelical Alliance)

Steve Clifford became General Director of Evangelical Alliance in April 2009. Steve's previous roles have included chairing Hope 08 and Soul Survivor, Soul in the City London and March for Jesus International. He has been involved in church planting and running leadership and discipleship teams within the Pioneer network.

Steve believes passionately in the Church as an agent for change in our nation and is excited by all of the opportunities for the Church to present the good news of Jesus in words and action.

Steve lives and attends church in West London. He is married to Ann and has two grown up children.

Jill Garner (independent)

Jill Garner is currently working as a freelance consultant. Previously she has worked for a number of Christian organisations including Shaftesbury, Scripture Union, Frontier Youth Trust and Youth for Christ. She has also worked in Social Services and Community Education and taught International Enterprise for the Open University Business School.

Her own international experience comes from living in Taiwan and working with projects for ‘at risk’ young people in Brazil, India and Romania.

Simon Barrington (Executive Director – Samaritan's Purse)

Simon joined Samaritans Purse in September 2003. He is responsible for all operations in the UK, including Operation Christmas Child, regional staff and warehouses, and the relationships with overseas partners.

Simon previously worked for BT, where he has held various Senior Management roles, most recently as Programme Director for Customer Satisfaction for BT's Business Broadband products.

The Council of Reference

The Council of Reference (CoR) is a group of people who endorse and support the Micah Challenge movement. Their main purpose is:

• To act as wise counsellors to the Board of Directors and the Micah Challenge secretariat.
• To publicly endorse Micah Challenge, its vision and aims.

They endorse the Micah Challenge movement, have signed the Micah Call and are willing to become participants in its activities. They also encourage others to do likewise.

Nicky Gumbel	Alpha International/ Holy Trinity Brompton
Andy Flannagan	God360
Steve Chalke	Oasis Trust
Terry Virgo	New Frontiers International
Archbishop John Sentamu	Archbishop of York
Roger Forster	Ichthus
Elaine Storkey	Tearfund
J. John	Philio Trust/ Just 10
Malcolm Duncan	Faithworks
Agu Irukwu	Jesus House
David Greaves	New testament Assemblies
John Francis	Ruach Ministries
Hugh Osgood	Cornerstone Christian Centre
Paul Weaver	Assemblies of God
Jim Wallis	Sojourners
Angela Sarkis CBE	Independent
Chris Neal	Church Mission Society
Ruth Gilson	The Girls Brigade England and Wales
David Golding	Make Poverty History North-East
Stephen Rand	Jubilee Debt Campaign/ Kairos Church

The Micah Forum

Join us at our annual Micah Forum event held every December in central London. The Micah Forum is an opportunity to join with and meet other people passionate about justice for those living in poverty, and to pray and plan for the future of Micah Challenge UK.

Come and join the Board of Directors and other key supporters on 9th December 2010 from 4pm to 7pm. Venue to be confirmed.

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