CTE Head of Operations appointed

Ben Cross will be joining the CTE team this Autumn.

Churches Together in England (CTE) is delighted to announce the appointment of Ben Cross to the role of Head of Operations, starting in September 2022. Ben’s focus will be to ensure the smooth running of CTE’s systems, finance, HR and events in order to deliver our aims.

Ben joins CTE after 15 years of working to support voluntary and community sector organisations. In Reading, he ran a network for charities and community groups working with children, young people and families. More recently, Ben ran a not-for-profit company delivering health and care projects in partnership with a range of local charities across Bradford District and Craven.

Ben is a passionate advocate for relational ecumenical partnerships and has seen God move in many ways through unity initiatives as a church youth worker, through the first 24-7 Prayer ‘Boiler Room’ in Reading, and through the practical support, encouragement and grant funding of grass-roots Christian social action projects.

“I’m really looking forward to joining Churches Together in England in this exciting new role. CTE has a unique place within the ecumenical landscape of our country, and it’s a privilege to be able to bring my ‘loaves and fishes’ to help the organisation to achieve its aims. I’m also looking forward to meeting lots of inspirational people who connect with CTE as an important part of their Christian mission,” he said.

Ben will take up his part-time post in early September.

CTE Leaders welcome Ben’s appointment

CTE Chair of Trustees, Rowena Loverance said “We want CTE to be a well-run organisation, enabling our Member Churches and partners to work better together and to play a more effective part in church and public life. We are delighted to welcome Ben Cross to this new post: he brings us extensive experience in operations management, along with an enviable reputation for integrity and commitment.”

“I am delighted Ben Cross will be joining the CTE Team as Head of Operations. Ben is wonderfully relational, with a track record of being a team player, possessing the right set of skills to both increase operational capacity and oversee this vital aspect of our work,” said CTE General Secretary, Bishop Mike Royal.

More about Ben

Ben is married to Joanna and serves as a Deacon and part of the Leadership Team at his local Elim church, where he is the Treasurer and coordinates the audio-visual facilities. He enjoys walking in the local countryside, as well as flying over it as a glider pilot. He also manages to spend some time watching live sport and has even been known to dabble in the kitchen.