ANNOUNCING LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AT STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship is pleased and proud to announce a transition of senior leadership.

David Jones, who has served the organisation as Chief Executive for the past 10 years through a crucial period of growth and development, will be handing on the leadership baton in July 2010 to Mike O’Neill, the present Director of Philanthropy.

The Board of Stewardship and David have increasingly recognised on him a call and grace to a broader role. This centres on making and maximising relational, strategic connections to advance the resourcing of the Kingdom of God. David is being released to pursue this call with the blessing of Stewardship. The relationship will continue with David taking on an ambassadorial role for Stewardship.

David Jones on this transition:
“It has been a privilege to serve this great organisation, and to invest into our people and our mission. They have been amazing years, and we have seen incredible favour from God on our endeavours. I am excited about what God has in store in this new phase of life and work for me. I know God has graced and equipped me for a wider role in his Kingdom, making what are increasingly global relationships that release and connect people and resources. I am also thrilled about two particular things. First, to be continuing the relationship with Stewardship as an ambassador for its work and mission. And secondly, to be passing over to such a capable, values based leader as Mike. I am proud that Stewardship can and will do an excellent leadership transition.”

Mike O’Neill on succeeding David and his vision for the future:
“David Jones is a man of remarkable vision and leadership.  During his tenure, Stewardship may have grown into one of the UK’s largest Christian charities, but his legacy will be measured by the values of generosity, relationship and integrity. David hands over the reins with the organisation in excellent health. We are financially strong with high employee engagement, great levels of client satisfaction and in the early stages of rolling out an important online giving service.  Our team believes generosity is transforming – for the giver and recipient.  We seek to promote, support and resource a growing community of generous givers.”

David Vardy, Chairman of the Stewardship Board of Trustees, comments:
“David Jones has done a superb job in his 10 years as Chief Executive and his 19 years, in total, at Stewardship.  The charity has seen amazing growth and, through David’s vision and enthusiasm, has become one of the largest Christian charities in the UK.  Under David’s leadership, generosity and releasing resources for the extension of God’s Kingdom has been greatly enhanced.  It is a credit to him that Stewardship is responsible for almost £50m per annum in giving.” 

"We wish David well as he follows God’s calling to a new role in a new area of ministry and are delighted his connection with Stewardship will not be lost.  It is a great commendation to David that he had already identified a possible successor in Mike O’Neill and brought him into Stewardship 15 months ago.  We are delighted Mike is taking over to lead the charity in the next phase of its growth and development.”

David Jones profile
David joined Stewardship in 1991, after working as a lawyer in general practice. In 2000, he became Chief Executive, and has helped to steer it through a series of mergers to become, in income terms, one of the largest Christian charities in the UK. He has played a key role in establishing its mission and vision of building and inspiring a generous resourcing community to effect transformational Kingdom change. David is also closely involved in a dynamic and entrepreneurial church/social enterprise charity operating locally (East London), nationally and internationally.

Mike O’Neill profile
Mike joined Stewardship in January 2009 as the Director of Philanthropy.  Prior to joining Stewardship, Mike was on the senior staff of Redeemer Church in New York City and served as the Executive Director of Hope for New York for seven years.  Hope for New York provides grants, volunteers and consulting services to support organisations serving NYC’s poor and marginalised communities.  Mike, a native of New York City, and his wife, Donna, a native of London, England, have three children, and a passion to see the end of human trafficking.

Stewardship profile

• Over 34,000 Christians have giving accounts with Stewardship and 17,000 recipients are registered to receive funds.
• In addition to annual giving of almost £50m per annum, we currently manage a further £60m.
• Many Christian workers are supported by Stewardship and a community of givers whose gifts to Stewardship, together with the Gift Aid we reclaim, serve to both increase and enhance their ministry.
• During the recession in 2009, Stewardship reported that regular giving held steady, with some decline in large one-off gifts, attributed to some givers not receiving city-related bonuses.
• Stewardship also provides a range of other services for churches and Christian charities, including Mortgages (£6m loaned), Deposit Accounts, Accounts Examination (300 clients), Payroll Bureau (300 clients), Charity Formation (73 last year), legal and financial consultancy and the training of individuals as Personal Budget Coaches.