Welcome to Our New Diocesan Secretary and DBF Chief Executive Officer

We are pleased to share the news that Karen Higgins began her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Diocesan Board of Finance and Diocesan Secretary at the beginning of April.

Karen joins the diocese at an exciting time and is already engaging with the breadth of mission and ministry across our parishes, chaplaincies, and schools. She has been spending time meeting with teams at St John’s House and Bishopscourt, and over the coming weeks will be attending each of the Deanery Celebration Events taking place across the diocese.

These events are open to everyone and will provide an opportunity to meet Karen and the teams supporting the delivery of our four priorities: Parish Renewal, Growing Younger, Church Planting and Revitalisation, and Developing Missional Leaders. They also offer a chance to hear more about how national funding will support the mission and ministry of each deanery. We encourage everyone to come along and take part.

As she takes up her new role, Karen said:

“I am absolutely delighted to be here and to be joining the diocese when there is so much encouraging work already underway. I’m really looking forward to getting out to deanery events over the coming weeks and meeting people there. I am wholly committed to the diocese’s inspiring vision, to supporting those who serve here, and to listening, learning, and working together as a diocesan family in bringing people to faith.”

Karen has significant leadership experience in both the NHS and the charitable sector, and we look forward to all that she will contribute as she works alongside clergy, staff, and lay leaders in support of our shared mission. Please join us in welcoming Karen to Manchester Diocese and holding her in your prayers as she takes up this vital role.