Workplace Matters Appoints a New Executive Director

St Albans, United Kingdom, September 15, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Workplace Matters (WM), a charity which has over 50 years experience of taking Christian values into the workplace, including providing chaplaincy to a wide range of organisations within the private, not-for-profit and public sectors, has appointed the Rev Dr John Scott as its new Executive Director. Dr Scott will take up his new post in October.

For the last three years, John has been the chief executive of the Daylight Christian Prison Trust – which supports ex-offenders and establishes links with prisons, among other things providing chapel services and Bible Studies for prisoners.

A native of Northern Ireland, John studied at Queen’s University in Belfast, obtaining a BSc and, later, a PhD in engineering before becoming managing director of a manufacturing company. During his time in industry, John served on several British Standard and European Committees as well as being a technical advisor to the European Commission and Oftec, the oil industry standards body.

Sensing a call to Christian ministry, John completed an MA in theological studies at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Florida, USA. He is currently completing a second PhD – this time in divinity with the University of Edinburgh.

John has served as the minister of two churches, in addition to his work with the Daylight Christian Prison Trust. Commenting on his appointment as Director of WM, John said: “I’m looking forward to being able to combine my experience of business with that of Christian ministry in helping WM to take Christian values into the workplace.

“This is an exciting time for WM, as it pursues many initiatives – notably expanding its chaplaincy ministry to the waterways and driving forwards EPICC, its business consultancy arm. I’m delighted to be able to play a part in helping to shape the charity’s future.”

Among its various activities and initiatives, WM provides chaplaincy services anywhere – within Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire - where people work. These chaplains operate within the emergency services - in police stations, among fire and ambulance teams and so on - in the manufacturing industry; especially at Vauxhall Motors in Luton; in the ‘town centre retail’ environment; with those living and working along the Grand Union Canal, and at London Luton Airport.

In addition, WM has launched EPICC, its consultancy arm, which aims to bring greater recognition and status to spirituality in the workplace. EPICC’s emphasis is on human care within organisational strategy and culture, and it focuses on growing and developing an organisation and its people together, as well as creating an environment that draws out underlying wisdom and releases energy.

Alan Harpham, WM’s Chairman, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming John to WM at what is an exciting and challenging time for the charity.

“The current economic situation means that there’s a growing need to provide spiritual support and guidance to people in the workplace – but this wealth of opportunities brings its own challenges, not least the need for more voluntary chaplains and additional funds. This will mean building effectively on existing networks encouraging and supporting the chaplaincy team.”

“Moreover, WM needs to represent the voice of the workplace – notably its spiritual needs – to churches which, by nature, tend to focus on communities other than those purely to do with work,” he added.

About Workplace Matters (http://www.workplacematters.org.uk/)

Workplace Matters (WM) is an ecumenical charity which takes Christian values into the workplace. Among its chief activities is supplying Workplace Chaplaincy. Workplace Chaplaincy provides expertise in pastoral and spiritual care in the workplace regardless of faith or gender to all employees. The basic principle of chaplaincy is to provide an independent and confidential “listening ear” encouragement and mutual support to all employees. It is a unique personal level of support that is impossible to get anywhere else. WM networks with a range of faith groups and networks and recognises that faith is deeply entwined with every aspect of community and working life.

Further information from:

Ancilla Andrew, Workplace Matters, 01727 818144, workplacematters@stalbans.anglican.org

Bob Little, Bob Little Press & PR, 01727 860405, bob.little@boblittlepr.com
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Workplace Matters
Bob Little
+44 (0)1727 818144
www.workplacematters.org.uk/
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