Consultant Biographies

Tracey Hinson (Bedford)

My professional background is in education, and I am currently Deputy Headteacher at Sandy Secondary School. Over 35 years, I have had the privilege of working with, coaching, and supporting teachers and students to become the very best versions of themselves, whilst growing my own skills in mentoring, strategic planning, and nurturing others to reach their potential.

My personal ministry has been shaped by many years of worshipping at Elstow Abbey with my husband, a lay reader, and our now grownup children. Over more than three decades, I have served in a variety of roles, including Sunday School teacher, PCC member, Churchwarden, Lay Chair of the PCC, and Chair of both the fundraising and social committees. I am also a youth leader and House Group leader, and I play guitar in the worship band. These roles have allowed me to deepen my faith, bring creativity, encouragement, and practical organisation to the life of the church, and given me a heightened awareness of the challenges faced in leading ministry.

Beyond the parish, I chair Bedford Street Angels, supporting volunteers who offer care and compassion to vulnerable people in the town centre.
It is a real privilege to serve as an MMDR consultant—celebrating all that God is doing in our churches, and providing a safe, reflective space for discernment. I look forward to listening, challenging, and encouraging ministers and church leaders as they continue their Mission and ministry journey.

Stuart Moore (Leagrave)

I live in Luton, and apart from 3 years at Liverpool University where I became a Christian through the Anglican Chaplaincy, I have lived there all my life. In 2024 I took early retirement having taught for 37 years. My last employed role was as a pastoral Deputy Headteacher where I led various teams and many whole-school initiatives. I also served on a variety of local authority bodies and governing bodies.

Since May 2024, I have been a member of St Luke’s, Leagrave, where I am now treasurer, lead worship occasionally, and am a member of the staff team. Prior to joining St Luke’s I was at St Hugh’s, Luton, for over 39 years, where I served as church warden, PCC member, worship leader, and represented the PCC in the appointment of three vicars.

As a former Deputy Headteacher, I am used to being a critical and supportive friend and have extensive experience of coaching staff and leading on performance management.

As well as being actively involved in my local church, I am a school governor, enjoy reading, spending time with friends and family. I am married to Jackie and have three adult children, and am a singer in two choirs: The Jupiter Singers (a community choir) and The London Show Choir (a semi-professional choir).

Revd Andy Pike (Luton)

I am a Self-Supporting Minister at St Mary’s, Luton, within the Diocese of St Albans, and work professionally as a Doctor in Clinical Psychology. I bring together experience from parish ministry and psychological practice, with a particular interest in the pastoral care of clergy and those in leadership.

In my church role, I am especially engaged in pastoral ministry, supporting individuals and communities as they navigate challenge, change, and growth. Alongside this, my clinical work has given me extensive experience in understanding emotional wellbeing, resilience, and the impact of stress and trauma on individuals and systems.

My approach to Ministerial Development Review (MDR) is shaped by a strong commitment to reflective, compassionate, and attentive listening. I am keen to offer a space that is both supportive and thoughtfully challenging, where ministers can reflect honestly on their vocation, wellbeing, and ministry context. I bring a particular heart for clergy and leadership wellbeing, and hope to support ministers in sustaining healthy, faithful, and life-giving ministry over the long term.

Brian Irvine (Totteridge)

I work and research at CRAE, the Centre for Research in Autism & Education at UCL. For many years I have worked in a Specialist (Neurodiversity) Mentoring in which I did my doctoral research. I have been Head of Philosophy and Religious Education in a secondary modern school, a childminder, an app developer, and the founder of an online community of clergy husbands. I inhabit an eclectic churchmanship that has been held together at Greenbelt. I am part of St Andrew’s Totteridge where my wife is the Vicar. For fun I play the ukulele loudly.

Jacob Kurien (Barnet)

Following retirement from General Practice (with some teaching, management and hospital-based commitments), I served as a churchwarden for 5 years gaining a reasonable understanding of the work and life of our clergy, its joys and challenges, within a team ministry setting (including a long interregnum). I have continued to serve on the PCC and other activities in our local parish including Churches Together in Barnet.

I serve on the Diocesan and Deanery synods, the Bishops Council, the Diocesan Dispute Advisory Service on its Management Committee, the Board of Patronage, a trustee on the Verulam House Trust Fund and I have served on the Diocesan Racial Justice Action Group retiring as it’s Chair in Jan 2026 – all of which have further widened my understanding of ministerial work in our diocese.

Being formally appraised by peers and conducting staff appraisals in the secular world have been a part of my working life as a GP. However, since joining the MMDR consultant team in 2021, I recognise and value the MMDR process which is indeed different because it is a reflective and empowering process done outside the routines and pressures of ‘work’ with the aim of recognising one’s attainments and skills, identifying challenges and enabling change through realistic and achievable goals in one’s ministry.

Revd Rachel Phillips (Barnet)

I retired from full time ministry in September 2025 and am now an active retired priest living just over the border in the diocese of London. In St Albans diocese, I was vicar of Northaw & Cuffley (also rural dean of Cheshunt) and Team Rector of Dunstable for six years each, punctuated by a couple of years as a residentiary canon in Rochester Cathedral.

Before ordination I was a partner in a large firm of solicitors in the city, where my vocation to ordination emerged through training and mentoring junior solicitors starting out in a highly demanding and stressful career – much like curacy! I was also organist and director of music in various churches from my teens, and church music has always been fundamental to my faith and my ministry.

I am new to the MMDR team and looking forward to accompanying you as you reflect on your ministry and your calling. My particular experience could be relevant if your ministry involves any of these: mission action planning; church choirs; church finances; church law and administration; managing serious safeguarding incidents; ministry as a single person living alone.

Marion Brown (St Albans)

Review and development of ministry have been a key focus during my career within the Christian and Voluntary Sector. Being a local Magistrate requires me to be objective, focussed, logical and constructive. I have also previously been involved in the selection, training and personal development of colleagues and am currently an Appraiser and Mentor. A member of St. Paul’s, St. Albans since 1983, I have held a variety of leadership positions, including chairing the committee for a major refurbishment and extension of church premises which has given me some understanding of the opportunities and pressures of parish ministry, working with staff, volunteers and professionals in order to serve the community. Various volunteering roles also include serving as part of the Lieutenancy in Hertfordshire, assisting with leadership courses and mentoring young people in schools, chairing committees and working collaboratively with others.

Meriel Dixon (St Albans)

My long-term career path was in teaching—Geography and Religious Studies to GCSE and A Level students. Shortly after retiring, I found myself in the role of a PA to my local Vicar. There, in a good working relationship which spanned 8 years, I gained an insight into the stresses and strains of everyday life in a vicarage; the frustrations and the joys, the pressures on time and space, and the need for a balanced approach to life. In support, I was able to listen, encourage and challenge. We worked together to create space, to sort the important from the urgent, and to recognise the need to delegate. It is a privilege now to be able to use some of my skills and experience with other clergy and within the MMDR scheme.

I have a sound understanding of the working of the Church of England structures and practices. For many years I have been a member of the Diocesan Synod, and until recently was a long-standing Lay-Chair of the St Albans Deanery. At my home church, Christ Church St Albans, I now take the lead in organising events and activities for our Seniors. I have served as a Churchwarden, and remain an active member of the PCC. I enjoy travelling.

Jane Earl (Rickmansworth)

Having recently retired from a busy senior management role I have embarked on Life 2.0 which is an exciting new chapter, where one of my aims is to grow my Executive Coaching practice which I started some years ago. Enabling others to grow and develop has been a passion for some years. As a committed Christian I feel very privileged to be able to give time to the MMDR programme. I believe in enabling and facilitating change through active listening and constructive challenge in a safe and secure environment.

In my past life, I worked closely with the Boards of well-known financial services and media companies serving as both a Company Secretary and Director. Most recently I worked for the Government’s development finance company, British International Investment plc, which enabled me to witness first-hand how international aid can make a difference in some of the poorest parts of the world. I have also served as Churchwarden, PCC Lay-Vice Chair and PCC Secretary as well as spending an early part of my career at Church House working with what was then ACCM.

Sheila McAlpine (Kings Langley)

Professionally, I have over 25 years’ experience as a qualified coach, facilitator and trainer. I have carried out many reviews over the years and am looking forward to bringing these skills to MMDR. My aim is to build rapport quickly to be able to work with the person to achieve a balance between support and challenge – so we both feel the review has been worthwhile and meaningful. MMDR is a serious matter, but I would expect us to laugh a little too. Locally, I am an ex-churchwarden at All Saints Church, Kings Langley where I’ve been worshipping since 1991.

Juliet Morton (Kimpton)

I qualified as a Management Mentor and Coach when I was a College lecturer. I loved the work but didn’t get much opportunity to use it until I retired and became a consultant for MMDR.

I worship at Kimpton Parish Church where I have been a Churchwarden twice and a PCC member for much longer. My faith underpins my approach to everything.

My working life has been spent in Education firstly as a teacher in secondary education, then as a lecturer in a college later running the Higher Education, Drama Department, and ultimately at Middlesex University. I believe strongly in support mechanisms and the encouragement they provide in all spheres of life. In retirement (from teaching!) I try to give as much time as I can to supporting projects within my village and the diocese.

Gillian Thwaites (Welwyn)

Born and still residing in rural Hertfordshire, I’ve been an active member of St Giles, Codicote for over 50 years, my involvement ranging from Sunday School teaching to PCC membership. In my professional life I qualified as a social worker, senior practitioner, specialising in child protection, elder abuse and mental health. In a change of direction I subsequently qualified as an Industrial Relations Consultant, specialising in conflict management, a role I undertook until I was made redundant in 2015. I am member of a Team of Vergers at St Giles, and a consultant with the Dispute Adviser Team for the Diocese. For relaxation I enjoy gardening and am a member of the church choir.