Lead Chaplain Bedfordshire Police and Fire Service
A life of two halves. After his degree gained a commission in the Army becoming a senior officer in RE Force Protection, where he saw the value of Army Chaplaincy. On leaving gained an MBA in Industrial Management worked in various management roles, becoming director of automotive, electronics and technology companies including COO of DeLaRue Cash Systems, working latterly as an independent consultant, an interim Director and mentor.
In the late 80’s he decided to change his life and reaffirm his Christian faith joining NFI group of Churches working in Church leadership, (in parallel with full time, then part time employment) became involved with ALPHA rolling out training. Has worked in Christian Pastoral care for over 30 years supporting homeless and suicide prevention and ex-service Charities (RBL) helping support those with PTSD who struggled in civilian life. He has always been an advocate of working with those of other faiths or none working on the principle that “May the values and principles we share outweigh the differences between us” he also believes in a “Ministry of Common sense” that currently we seem to have lost.
George is married with grown up children and grandchildren incidentally he was introduced to his wife by a Bedfordshire police officer. He moved back to Bedfordshire in 2011 and took a leadership role in pastoral care in the Kings Arms NFI Church, was approached to consider becoming a Police Chaplain as part of his pastoral role. In 2018 it was proposed that the more developed Police Chaplaincy role should be combined to support the Fire service who had no operational Chaplains at the time working closely with the Fire and Rescue Services Chaplaincy Association on shared values. Within the year he was appointed Lead Chaplain of the combined Chaplaincy Service on the Principle of “For All Faiths or none and for All without exception”. Post Pandemic has integrated the Chaplaincy into the Bedfordshire Police wellbeing infrastructure working closely with the Senior officers with regular meetings with the Chief Constable and Force Executive. Close working relationship with the OPCC and the Commissioner and his deputy.
He has been involved with the Yvonne Fletcher Memorial group and helped run the service in London each year to remind the public of the sacrifice that our Police sometimes have to make. He acts as a positive advocate for the force particularly in the current climate of news and social media negativity. He sees the real value of Chaplaincy to Officers and staff and the PCUK’s support to Chaplain’s Nationally.
