Last weekend, Bishop Helen-Ann was delighted to welcome the First Church Estates Commissioner, Alan Smith, to our diocese.
The First Church Estates Commissioner chairs the Church Commissioners' Assets Committee, a statutory committee responsible for the strategic management of the Church Commissioners' investment portfolio, with assets of approximately £10 billion.
Born in the Bahamas, Alan grew up in Barbados. After attending the University of West Indies, Alan has spent forty years in the finance and banking industry including advisory roles at KPMG and more recently, HSBC.
Alan has been a Church Commissioner since 2018, taking on the role of First Church Estates Commissioner in 2021. This role allows Alan to combine his experience in finance and risk management with his faith and passion for justice and the environment to serve the Church. He recognises that wise investment to secure sustainable returns is paramount to maximise the funding of mission and ministry. Read more about Alan’s thoughts on reconciliation and climate action here.
During his visit, Alan attended Diocesan Synod at Hexham Abbey, where he spoke on the role of Church Commissioners and how they support church ministry. He spent time with Bishop’s staff members and diocesan staff during a meal hosted at Bishop’s House before attending morning worship at Newcastle Cathedral on Sunday.
Speaking of his visit, Bishop Helen-Ann said: “Alan, you are very welcome here, to the Church of England’s most northerly diocese, and we hope this visit will be the first of many.”