Rob appointed as ‘Minister to the Business Community’ in pioneering initiative
A pioneering new appointment, announced by the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, aims to put relations between the church and the world of banking and business on a new footing. The Revd Rob Hinton,(40) currently a Vicar in Altrincham, Cheshire, has been appointed as the region’s first Minister to the Business Community with the aim of building bridges between the church and the financial and business sector of Leeds, one of the biggest outside London.
The innovative full-time post has been made possible by a ‘seed corn’ grant for pioneer ministry from the Church Commissioners and will initially be for a three year period. As ‘chaplain’ to the business community, the Revd Rob Hinton’s role will compliment work already done in the diocese by Urban Officer, the Revd Kathryn Fitzsimons, ecumenical partners such as the ‘Oastler Centre’ and by city centre churches, as he offers pastoral and practical support, acts as a Christian ‘presence’ in the city and helps build bridges with key financial, commercial, retail and development organizations.
The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Revd John Packer said it was an important appointment. “I welcome the development of this new post, and particularly offer my warmest welcome to Rob Hinton as he takes up his new role.”
The Revd Rob Hinton, (40), who begins his new role in the Autumn, comes from seven years as Incumbent of All Saints Hale Barns in Altrincham in the Diocese of Chester. Previously, he served two curacies in the same diocese, at St. Mark Saltney, Chester and then at St. Andrew, Cheadle Hulme. Before ordination in 1997, Mr. Hinton studied Human Geography and Social Ethics at Lancaster University, and worked in the Housing Department of Wirral Borough Council for four years. He then trained for ordination at St John’s College, Durham. He said he was looking forward to the challenge of the pioneering new role: “While so much of the church is denouncing the banking community, it is an important time to come and be the new Chaplain to the second largest financial district outside of London and to become part of a Diocese that is wanting to love those who are both taking the flack and at the same time trying to put things right for the industry and the rest of us.” He added, “This is a ministry not just to the financial sector but all areas of the city’s business world.”
As well as offering pastoral care and support to individuals, one of the aims of the new post is to challenge and influence the values of the business community. The Archdeacon of Leeds, the Ven. Peter Burrows said “This new post is designed to work with and influence the corporate conscience of the many businesses and institutions in the city, the places where people spend much of their lives. It is also to challenge appropriately the ‘two tier’ view of Leeds City. The new minister will represent the Christian faith and the church’s mission to the business community. They will actively carry with them a prophetic, holistic vision of the city and act as an aid to businesses as they seek to play a wider role than simply wealth creation.”
He added, “The Diocese of Ripon and Leeds is committed to working in the most vulnerable and deprived areas of Leeds. But Leeds is also a regional city with one of the largest business and financial sectors outside London and Birmingham. The church needs to engage with what is happening in the city centre at all levels.”
Rob Hinton is expected to take up his new role in November.