Dr Olly Peel to be Foundations Programme Director at Cranmer Hall

Cranmer Hall is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Olly Peel as Foundations Programme Director at Cranmer Hall. Olly will lead the new Foundations programme at Cranmer Hall; a 1-year course which aims to give an introduction to theology for lay people leading new worshipping communities in the North East of England – including partnerships with Durham and Newcastle Dioceses. Olly has recently completed his PhD in Theology and Literature at King’s College London. Before this, he was part of the staff team at an Anglican church plant in East London and supported the Rt Revd Ric Thorpe, Bishop of Islington, prior to the establishment of the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication. After twelve years in London, Olly is excited to return to his roots in the North East.

The Revd Dr Nick Moore, Warden of Cranmer Hall, said: “The Innovation Funding supporting the Foundations programme is a great show of confidence in and support for the churches of the North East and Cranmer Hall. Olly brings enthusiasm, energy, and a deep spirituality, and we hope and trust God will do wonderful things through him and the programme.”

The Dean of Anglican Formation, the Revd Sarah Strand commented: “We’re delighted to have appointed Olly to this role. Olly combines experience of lay leadership in church plants with a passion to ensure theological education is accessible to all. He has significant gifts in both teaching and creativity and we’re thrilled that he will be returning to the North East to serve the church here.”

The Revd Dr Josh Cockayne, Lecturer in Mission and Evangelism and Director of the Bede Centre for Church Planting Theology at Cranmer Hall said: “We are excited for Olly to join the team at the Bede Centre. He brings with him significant experience of supporting new churches in mission. We were impressed with Olly’s infectious passion for equipping the church to engage with theology and I am looking forward to working with him to develop the Foundations Programme in the coming months.”

As he prepares to take up post, Olly reflected: “I feel really honoured to be joining the Cranmer community. Having grown up in the North East, and having studied in Durham as an undergraduate, it feels incredibly special to be stepping into this role here. I’m especially excited by the vision Cranmer and the Diocese share around church planting and new worshipping communities, and I’m really looking forward to playing a part in equipping the next generation of leaders for ministry in this region.”