Gareth, a qualified actuary, has over thirty years' experience in international energy companies including over ten years leading corporate venture capital investment units. This experience includes holding board of director roles on portfolio companies and he has experience from all aspects of the global energy value having had responsibilities across all continents.
Gareth, an Irish citizen, first encountered UCCF when at Heriot-Watt University and is pleased to have seen his two sons benefiting from its work during their recent time at university. He has also been a trustee of Stewardship (including some years as vice-chair) and continues to serve at his local church in Hampstead. Married to Siobhán, he is also a keen endurance sport participant.
Raised in the beautiful county of Sussex, Lesley came to a personal faith in Jesus at the age of 14. That decision has shaped her life’s mission since; to help others discover and deepen their relationship with Him. After a brief career in banking, Lesley has served in front-line missions, both in the UK and overseas, for over 30 years. She is currently the National Director of Agapé UK, part of Campus Crusade for Christ International, and, as part of the regional leadership for Agape Europe, she also provides oversight to two other national ministries in Europe.
Mark was founder and Chief Executive of a professional services company providing HR advice to clients across public, private and third sectors, including many of the UK’s largest charities.
Prior to this he held senior HR roles in major UK and US parented companies and is a former Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
He studied at the University of Kent, where he was a CU leader and has an academic background in employee relations. A Director of the Christian video business Go Chatter Media, he is also Chair of Trustees of Kinetic Network, which is a family of Spirit and Word leaders and churches.
Simon grew up in Kent and studied Maths at the University of Cambridge. After university he stayed on in Cambridge, training as an accountant with KPMG and then pursued a career in finance, most recently as Finance Director and Company Secretary at CMR Surgical.
Imogen grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, before moving to the UK as a teenager. While studying Politics, International Studies and French at the University of Warwick, she developed a passion for student mission through her involvement in the Christian Union, serving in leadership roles and on UCCF’s Student Council. She is now a Relay Worker at the University of Nottingham, where she is excited to help students know Christ and make Him known on campus. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, singing and spending time outdoors with friends.
Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Melanie read Classics and Theology at Trinity College Dublin before completing postgraduate studies at Dublin City University and the Church of Ireland Theological College. Having been in full-time ministry for many years, she has served in a range of ministry contexts - on the staff teams of local churches, as Ireland Team Leader for Crosslinks, and on the faculty of Oak Hill Theological College as Dean of Women and Director of the Children’s and Youth Ministry Training Course. She is now Executive Director of Growing Young Disciples, a ministry dedicated to training, resourcing and advising those committed to Christ-centred, biblical children’s, youth and family ministry across the UK and Ireland.
Melanie has been prayerfully committed to the work of UCCF for many years and has had the privilege of partnering with UCCF staff teams through regular involvement in Word Alive and other ministries. Most recently she has enjoyed visiting a number of the UCCF teams to think about discipling Gen Z.
Born in Inverness and raised in Scotland, James studied Law at Edinburgh University and, after a few years working for a law firm doing corporate finance work, he joined Aegon UK where he was General Counsel and Company Secretary for 12 years. He is now Head of Investor Relations for Target Fund Managers. He is an elder of Edinburgh North Church.
James sees the work of UCCF as strategically important for God’s kingdom in the UK and since attending university himself has been a passionate supporter of UCCF’s vision - to give every student in Great Britain an opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
James and his wife, Beccie, live in Edinburgh with their three children. Their fourth is at university in Aberdeen and a member of the CU there.
James is the lead trustee for safeguarding and also chairman of UCCF’s Scottish Advisory Council.
David studied Environmental Sciences at the University of Southampton, where his involvement in the Christian Union played a defining role in shaping his faith. After graduating, he spent ten years working with UCCF in a range of roles across three regions - from Relay Worker to Staff Worker and later Team Leader - investing in students and witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of CU ministry.
In 2024 he became Pastor of Grace Church in Salisbury, having previously served on the staff team at Life Church in Southampton. He recently completed a Masters at Union School of Theology.
He is excited to be part of the UCCF Trust Board because the vision of giving every student in Great Britain the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel remains close to his heart. His years with UCCF were profoundly shaping, and he counts it a privilege to support a ministry that continues to equip students to live and speak for Jesus at university.
He lives in Salisbury with his wife and their two daughters.