CPAS leadership development advisers create, manage and develop many of the courses, events and programmes on offer.
Andrew Cowley – Senior Leadership Development Adviser
A penchant for kites - the ones on the end of two or four long lines rather than the majestic raptors - clearly illustrates Andrew's desire for wanting to see people fly. Perhaps not in a literal sense, but driven by a desire to help others fulfill their God-given potential, Andrew enjoys encouraging, equipping and engaging faith and contemporary culture.
A regular preacher and church advisor - following 22 years as an ordained minister and the experience of leading three large churches - he enjoys helping churches to focus on mission and leadership both locally and globally. His leadership experience is broad and deep, covering insights from business, Church, aid and development, and overseas mission.
Rugby and cricket feature heavily in Andrew's life along with family, faith, photography, U2 (Bono et al) and travel. When not attending Greenbelt as his summer festival of choice, Andrew can often be found outdoors enjoying the countryside, walking, watching sport and taking photographs.
T 01926 458451
E acowley@cpas.org.uk
Ruth Hassall – Leadership Development Adviser, Youth and Children's Leaders
Please forgive the clichéd metaphor, but if Ruth's curriculum vitae was a piece of nostalgic seaside rock you could make a satisfying crack anywhere along the length of sweety, tasty yumminess and find the words 'youth and children's work'.
Now bringing together her experience from a wide range of roles with one common theme - can you tell what it is yet? - Ruth loves working alongside and encouraging people who share her passion for seeing children and young people find and play their role in the Kingdom.
As a brief summary of Ruth's CV, it all began at CPAS as a Pathfinder administrator before training as a primary school teacher, then working as a youth and children's pastor in Lancaster and as national children's adviser for CMS before returning to CPAS. Just like that stick of rock.
T 01926 458416
E rhassall@cpas.org.uk
Mark Norris – Leadership Development Adviser, Vocations
Somebody once said that their one small step was actually a giant leap for mankind. Without going all lunar, Mark once made his own giant leap - from electronic engineer to vicar - before joining CPAS.
But after all, that's what he's now in the business of doing. Helping people towards knowing God's call on their lives. And perhaps taking their own giant leap. That's the rocket fuel that keeps him going, as well as a penchant for technological gadgets and powerfully spiced Indian food.
So if you're looking for some advice or assistance on the subject of vocation, get in touch with Mark. After all, what many of us think of as giant leaps are often just one small step away.
T 01926 458461
E mnorris@cpas.org.uk
Andy Castle – Leadership Development Adviser
Nobody likes a stereotype. But there are some easy targets. It has to be said that young people generally aren't at their most responsive first thing in the morning. By his own admission, following 10 years as a church youth worker in west London, early mornings aren't when Andy feels at his most sociable either.
Gladly his alarm clock helps. Andy even gets a bonus on the usual 'three strikes and you're out' rule. His snooze button is full of grace and holds out for a fourth repeat buzz before giving up on him completely.
You'll find contact details for Andy below. He'd of course welcome your call at any time of day. But perhaps it's advisable to avoid early mornings, just to be on the safe side.
T 01926 458422
E acastle@cpas.org.uk
Rosie Ward – Leadership Development Adviser
Rosie is passionate about using her experience to help church leaders become more effective in growing the Church.
Having served as an ordained minister in three parishes across the Bristol diocese, she has worked across the complete spectrum from urban priority estate to rural dwellings, stopping for a while in suburbia along the way. Rosie has also trained Readers in the Bristol diocese, launching a new ecumenical training course.
But that's only part of the story – or perhaps a glimpse through a very narrow window onto the broad horizon of Rosie's career. The extremes of that horizon extend from packing espadrilles (yes, you did read that correctly) to writing a booklet on the Church's response to domestic violence.
Rosie is especially keen on supporting and advising female leaders, most notably as the author of Growing Women Leaders and the accompanying Women in Mind downloadable resources. If you want to tap into her passion for developing leaders, then Rosie could help you in her capacity as teacher, adviser or mentor.
T 01926 458448
E rward@cpas.org.uk
Alex Volcansek – Leadership Development Adviser
Psychologists like questions, right? Well, Alex is an occupational psychologist, so let's ask what that actually means.
The top Google search result for this question reveals that they 'apply psychological knowledge, theory and practice to the world of work'. So, for example, this can mean facilitating church leaders for teamwork. It can also mean enabling leaders to improve the effectiveness of leadership within their church by drawing on the views of their teams.
Interesting, but any type of psychologist would surely want to know more about the woman herself. Let's try a different tack.
What excites her about working at CPAS? Alex replies: 'Enabling Christian leaders to make fresh sense of the challenges they face and to find significant and rewarding ways of fulfilling their God-given talent.'
For Alex, that means enabling them through coaching, personality profiling, team development and bespoke consultancy.
T 01926 458434
M 07970 041278
E avolcansek@cpas.org.uk
Hazel Lancefield – Administrator / PA
Hazel is on a mission to revive the popularity of tea parties. But her tea parties are unlike any other. Because when Hazel invites friends over for a cuppa they have no less than 20 (yes, twenty, that's not a typo) different varieties to choose from. She's even got a 'tea-ganiser' (like an organiser for tea) to store them all neatly away.
And if she discovers a really good brew, Hazel might just break out in song. Because she also loves gospel singing - both taking part at an amateur level, and listening to the pros.
T 01926 458477
E hlancefield@cpas.org.uk
Pauline Walden - Administrator
Having once taught typewriting in FE colleges on things called typewriters (remember them?), Pauline is now ably supporting the CPAS development team with administrative skills honed while working for many people including a United Reformed Church minister and a director at textile manufacturer Courtaulds.
Over the years various moves have taken Pauline to living in 13 homes across five counties and worshipping at 11 different churches. Most would be exhausted, but not Pauline - even after walking her dog and a half-hour brisk hike to work each morning.
T 01926 458480
E pwalden@cpas.org.uk
