Our Trustees
Our Chair - Moira Astin
Moira is the Archdeacon of Reigate, in Southwark Diocese, and a tutor in Church History for St Augustine’s College. Previously she ministered as an Area Dean in Lincoln Diocese, and Ecumenical Officer for Lincoln; before that she served as a Vicar in Oxford Diocese, and taught on the Diocesan Training Scheme for Readers and OLMs. She brings extensive experience as a charity trustee and chair; and she looks forward to being part of resourcing Anglican leaders and churches as ministers of reconciliation.
Akeem Adagbada
Akeem is a lawyer who has acted for multinational clients in cross-border litigation, international arbitration and investigations. He is also a PhD candidate at Cambridge University’s Faculty of Divinity, exploring African tradition and Christian theology through a study of Edi Festival. Akeem is part of a local Anglican church in Peckham. As a theologian, he believes in articulating the profound deformities of Christian intimacy and identity, and interpreting the depth of God’s action in reconciliation.
Karen West
Karen is the resident priest in the Parish of Silchester in the Diocese of Winchester, and one of the founding Trustees of RI. Formerly an independent consultant, Karen served as Archbishops’ Adviser on Bishops’ Ministry at Lambeth Palace for six years. With extensive professional experience in learning and development and organisational development, Karen is passionate about forming teams of Anglicans to inspire Christians to act for peace. She also sits on the Board of Church Army.
Mark Simmons
Mark is the Lead Parish Giving Advisor in the Diocese of Hereford, and chair of the UK and Ireland board of the Community of the Cross of Nails . Mark is looking forward to the prospect of developing an active learning programme that is linked to Coventry Cathedral’s wider ministry, and to the potential synergies with the Community of the Cross of Nails.
Peter Wolstensholme - Treasurer
Peter is a chartered accountant who specialises in charity finance, and was most recently employed as Financial Accountant for the London Diocesan Fund. Peter lives in Battersea, in South London, and is part of a local Anglican church. He is convinced by Christian teaching of the centrality of reconciliation. He hopes to provide a useful 'pair of hands' in the Treasurer role.
Richard Westwood
Richard has been Team Vicar of St Anne’s, Chasetown in Lichfield Diocese since 2016, and he is a graduate of RI’s Reconciling Mission programme. Having benefitted from the insights and experience gained, he is keen to help further RI’s work and ministry. Richard is also a trustee of mutual aid charity Burntwood Be A Friend, and he helps lead the Link for Life Project enabling young people to form life-changing partnerships with communities in southern Africa.
Ruwani Gunawardene
Ruwani is a Curate in the Diocese of London and also works for the Diocese. After completing the Journey of Hope Pilgrimage with Reconcilers Together, she trained for ordained ministry through the Caleb Stream. Previously Ruwani worked at the London School of Theology. Having been raised in the Anglican Communion in South Asia and living in the UK for most of her adult life, Ruwani values the connections this presents for reconciling cultures through worship.