Stewardship today announced the appointment of its new CEO, Stewart McCulloch.
Stewart will take over the position on 1st August from current CEO Michael O’Neill, who is returning to his native America in August after nine years leading the organisation.
In his role as Global Insurance Director for VisionFund, the micro finance operation of World Vision, his focus has been on creating innovative solutions to help ensure the lives of over one million vulnerable families are more resilient to sickness, bereavement, crop failure and climate shocks. This work culminated in the launch of the world’s largest non-governmental climate insurance scheme in January of this year.
Stewart is a Chartered Accountant who spent the early part of his career in management consulting. He has led a number of insurance businesses through significant change including the provider of outsourced claims and accounting services to the participants in the Lloyd’s of London insurance market.
Commenting on the new role, Stewart said, “Under Mike’s leadership the Stewardship team have built a unique and powerful platform that sits at the heart of Christian generosity in the UK. Arriving at Stewardship and seeing how the staff and Trustees work has been a revelation. It is rare in life that you see a group of such talented people so dedicated to a single core purpose. This team has the heart and the skills to foster Christian generosity in all its forms. I am humbled by the opportunity to lead this team and could not be more excited to nurture the seeds already planted under Mike’s leadership into a rich harvest for the Lord.”
Mike O’Neill, Stewardship’s departing CEO, commented, “I am so pleased to be handing over responsibility for Stewardship to Stewart. What we have built over the past nine years has been a team effort and I am so grateful to everyone who has supported us as we’ve pursued our common vision for the world to encounter Jesus through the generosity of His church. My hope and prayer is that, under Stewart’s leadership, the impact of this amazing organisation will reach even greater heights in the years to come.”
Ram Gidoomal CBE, Stewardship’s Chair of trustees, also remarked: “The trustees were unanimous in the decision to appoint Stewart. We had a very competitive field of candidates, but Stewart stood out as a man who not only had the right experience and capability, but more importantly the right character aligned with our mission, vision and values.”
Gidoomal continues: “Stewart brings long experience of client led growth in a private sector financial services context. His time at World Vision has shaped this experience to suit the charitable sector and now we are looking for him to lead our team on to a new level of growth in supporting the incredible generosity of Christians in this country and beyond.”
UPDATE: Please see out latest news article Stewardship's CEO to move to Christians Against Poverty
Daniel Jones
Daniel joined Stewardship in 2007 and currently leads the Generosity Services division and driving growth in giving towards our target of £250m by 2025.
He has been responsible for developing many successful giving campaigns within Stewardship, including the popular 40acts Lent Challenge, and previously advised the National Stewardship Committee for the Church of England, particularly digital innovations like contactless collection plates and curriculums for parishes. Daniel was also instrumental in bringing the Giving Tuesday movement to the UK following its successful launch in the USA.
Before joining Stewardship, Daniel led Hand in Hand for 3 years, a Christian international development charity that he co-founded with friends and continues to serve as trustee.
He is married with a teenage daughter and is currently exploring life in a local estate-based church plant.