The Bishop announces the retirement of Canon Stephen Barney as Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF). Mr David Palmer will be nominated for appointment as interim Chair for the remainder of the current triennium at the forthcoming meeting of the Diocesan Synod on 18 March.
Bishop Martyn said: “Stephen has served the diocese as DBF Chair for 12 years with vision and care, which stem from his strong faith and deep commitment to the Church’s mission. During this time, he has overseen major projects such as the refurbishment of Launde Abbey and the establishment of St Martins House as a centre for mission, ministry and hospitality in the heart of our city and county. He also devised the Growth and Capital Funds, which have supported over half the churches in the diocese with projects to enhance their outreach. We are immensely grateful to Stephen for his dedicated service and careful stewardship and are sorry that his wife’s health circumstances have led to his retirement at this time; we wish them both every blessing for the future and look forward to being able to thank Stephen publicly in due course.
“I am delighted that David Palmer has agreed to take on this role for at least the next few months. David is a retired civil servant from Edinburgh, with a background in finance, governance and management. He was for 15 years the Diocese Secretary (a voluntary role) and Convenor of the Finance Committee for Edinburgh Diocese of the Scottish Episcopal Church. He and his wife, Alison, moved to Leicester four years ago to be near their grandchildren. David has been a Trustee and member of the Leicester Diocesan Board of Finance since moving to the city. He is a member of a number of other diocesan committees, as well as the Board of Launde Abbey. He is also a member of the PCC at St Mary Magdalen, Knighton. I look forward to working more closely with David as he takes up this important role in the diocese.”