Andy Winmill, currently Director of Mission for the Church of England Birmingham, has been appointed as the new Diocesan Secretary. Andy brings extensive strategic and missional experience to this crucial leadership role across the Church of England Birmingham.
The Diocesan Secretary is the Senior Executive Officer, who leads on Diocesan strategy and operations, alongside the Bishop of Birmingham, Suffragan Bishop of Aston, and other senior staff.
Andy will play a pivotal role in the implementation of strategic programmes, as well as leading the governance and operational teams (including HR, finance and property) across the Church of England Birmingham.
While serving as Director of Mission for the Diocese since February 2023, Andy has been instrumental in securing a recent funding award from the national church. Under his leadership, the Mission Support Team has supported parish growth activity, oversight area mission planning, mission amongst children and young people, and church planting and revitalisation.
Previously Andy was Director of Christian charity Urban Devotion Birmingham, working with children, young people and families to transform communities in Erdington, North Birmingham.
Announcing the appointment, Steven Skakel, Chair of the Birmingham Diocesan Board of Finance said:
“I am delighted that Andy is taking on this role at such an important time in the life of our Diocese. Andy has demonstrated a real grasp of where we are and what needs to be done, and I look forward to working with him and the team to see the fulfilment of our vision.”
The Church of England Birmingham includes over 187 worshipping communities across 146 parishes in Birmingham and parts of Solihull, Sandwell, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
As Diocesan Secretary, Andy will focus on delivering the Church of England Birmingham’s strategy and vision of growing churches and flourishing schools at the heart of every community.
The Rt Revd Dr Michael Volland, Bishop of Birmingham welcomed the appointment:
“I am delighted that in response to many months of faithful prayer and a process of careful discernment, Andy has responded to God's call to take up the role of Diocesan Secretary.
“His vision, energy, clarity of mind, attention to detail, servant heart and love for God and the people of this Diocese make Andy an outstanding candidate for this significant strategic role.
“I am looking forward to working alongside Andy in this new capacity as we seek to implement our vision of growing churches and flourishing schools at the heart of each community.”
Reflecting on his appointment, Andy Winmill commented:
“I am honoured to be taking on the role of Diocesan Secretary at this exciting point in our life together as Church of England Birmingham.
“I look forward to building on and implementing the strategy developed over the last few years, working alongside excellent colleagues, so that we can all play our part in serving our communities and seeing God’s Kingdom come in this city and region.”
Andy has been appointed to the role following a rigorous, competitive external recruitment process - including a specialist external search partner, a broad selection panel and a period of careful prayer and discernment - over several months. He will take up the position in Spring 2026, following the retirement of current Diocesan Secretary Jan Smart, who has served in the role since 2020.