Margaret has been involved in charities for all of her adult life as a volunteer, employee, trustee and Independent Examiner, and therefore has a relatively unique view of charities from the inside and looking in from the outside. She originally trained as a scientist, and worked as a scientist, engineer and lecturer before moving into the charity sector, and retraining in charity finance and accounting.
Margaret has lived Scotland, England and America and therefore has a wide experience of church life in various worshipping communities, including being a church treasurer. Margaret is a Fellow of the Association of Charity Independent Examiners (ACIE) and provides Independent Examinations to around 30 charities, including a number of churches from different denominations. She regularly provides both face to face and online training for ACIE.
Immanuel is a risk and safety management consultant with the consultancy firm Arthur D. Little. He studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge, where he met and married Julia prior to settling down in the area.
In his day job he works with clients across a range of sectors, primarily in rail transport and the oil and gas industry, specialising in risk modelling and assessment and safety management.
He has been treasurer of Eden Baptist Church in Cambridge since 2015, and has been an ACAT trainer since 2017, delivering general treasurer training as well as more specialised risk and safety courses. He holds a Level 2 Foundation Certificate in Accounting with the AAT.
In his spare time he enjoys baking, ballroom dancing, occasionally standing in a supermarket foyer with a charity tin, attempting to learn German, and trying to self-teach his way to the Level 3 AAT qualification.
Dan lives in East Sussex with his wife and three daughters and is a member of Hailsham Parish Church
A Chartered Tax Adviser since 2013, Dan set up Wealden Field Tax Advisers last year, with a desire to help churches and Christian workers be compliant with their tax obligations without paying more tax than they need to.
He was responsible for gift aid in a local church in Coventry from 2011 to 2024, and a church elder/trustee for ten years.
Andrew was one of the “gang of four” who envisaged ACAT after a seminar delivered for large parishes in the Church in Wales.
As well as working in a Welsh Diocese he has worked in two Dioceses of the Church of England and has been on the pulpit supplies list for the Presbyterian Church in Wales. He has a wealth of knowledge on income generation for churches. In addition to his church experience, he has led the external funding team for a local authority and run an EU regeneration project, among many other high profile projects.
Pauline became her church treasurer in 2003 and subsequently took early retirement from industry (management accountant with a local packaging company) to concentrate on assisting other local churches with their accounts.
She is now also a tutor with ACAT. Professionally qualified (FCCA) and enjoys helping members with their problems on courses.
Robert is a founder member of ACAT, one of our former trustees as well as being a member of our training team. He is a strong believer in the importance of the role of treasurers and their place in supporting the ministry of the Church. He also firmly believes that ordained ministers should have a good understanding of the financial issues with which the Church is required to engage.
A Chartered Company Secretary with an M.A. in Theology from Durham University, Robert’s 40 year career has spanned the banking, construction and higher education sectors, including consultancy specialising in change-management and the implementation of risk management strategies
In his spare time, Robert enjoys watching National League football, walking in the countryside and he’s also a fan of traditional gospel blues music.
Peter has had a variety of treasurer, finance and admin roles over the years. From 2003 to 2015, he had a good grounding in church finance as treasurer of a large town-centre Baptist church.
Having taken early retirement from the role of statistician for an insurance company, Peter was appointed Finance Officer of a ministerial training college. He moved back to the north-east in 2016 and was subsequently appointed Finance Officer for a large city-centre evangelical independent church.
For the last five years (2021 to 2026), Peter has supported the ACAT Helpline; the role included updating the online handbook and FAQ. Whilst Peter has retired from this role, he continues to serve as bookkeeper for the Baptist church which he attends.
He is keen to pass his knowledge to help others be more effective in their role and looks forward to helping with training courses.
Bob Skelton is a semi-retired senior lecturer in the Departments of Engineering and Chemical Engineering at Cambridge University specialising in safety and nuclear. He is also a Fellow of Magdalene College.
Prior to joining Cambridge, he worked a manager of process and safety for a major international process plant contractor. He is a member of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Register of Safety Professionals and a course director for IChemE Safety Courses. He is a former vice president of the Institution of Nuclear Engineers.
Bob is a member of the Council of Ely Cathedral and a trustee of the Diocese of Ely Multi Academy Trust with special responsibility for health and safety. He is a former church treasurer and safety officer and was a member of the Diocese of Ely Finance Advisory Committee. He was also lay chair of Ely Deanery for some time. Outside interests include railways, again with an emphasis on safety.
Samantha is a Finance Resources Co-ordinator for the Diocese of Durham.
She has extensive experience working as an internal auditor as well as having been a church treasurer.
At the Diocese of Durham, Samantha supports treasurers and PCCs with resources and training to help ensure that all churches can flourish.
