CHRISTIAN SOCIALISTS APPOINT NEW DIRECTOR

The Christian Socialist Movement is delighted to announce that its new Director is to be Dr Andy Flannagan, currently its Media and Publications Officer. Well known as a musician, songwriter, broadcaster and author, Andy is active in local politics and has led and resourced campaigns for many leading development agencies.

Originally from Northern Ireland, Andy trained and worked as a doctor before joining Youth for Christ to oversee their creative, media and political work. Currently freelance, he is a regular speaker and performer at major conferences and is on the council of reference for Micah Challenge. Campaigns officer in his local Branch Labour Party, Andy fought a council by-election earlier this year in his home area of Lambeth.
Speaking after news of his appointment was announced Andy said:
In the midst of economic and cultural uncertainty, the kingdom values of the Christian Socialist Movement have never been more crucial, so I am thrilled to accept the role as Director of the Movement. There is a passion stirring across the UK to partner with God in seeking justice, both locally and globally. Our unique prophetic role within the Labour party makes us a natural home for Christians who want to ‘speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

CSM’s Chair, Rt Hon Alun Michael MP, who chaired the appointment panel, said:
I feel that the very process of finding a new Director has been a real blessing to CSM: not only have we chosen an individual who has the capacity to lead, to inspire and to be a team player, but the other people who we interviewed have been incredibly positive about the process. We really felt we were interviewing ourselves as much as the candidates, because we all need to change and grow with our new Director if we are to really deserve the name of ‘Movement’ and to carry Christ’s message of social justice effectively into the political world. Andrew Bradstock has done a superb job at CSM over the past four years and it is in no small measure due to his commitment that he leaves CSM in good health with a growing membership amongst young people in particular. We wish Andrew well for the future as he goes on to an exciting new job.

Andy will take over from current Director, Andrew Bradstock, in January. Andrew said:
This is a very exciting appointment. Andy has got so many gifts to bring to CSM, and with his commitment, people skills and creativity he is just the person to lead CSM into a new phase marked by a growth in membership, profile and influence. It has been a great honour to serve as Director these past four years, and while we had some quite rough waters to navigate in the early days, the current Executive really have begun to ‘renew and change’ CSM. I hope all of us as members will see this as an opportunity to re-commit to CSM and, under Alun and Andy’s wise leadership, help it grow into a truly dynamic movement.

Andrew will be leaving the UK early next year to take up a new professorial chair in Theology and Public Issues at Otago University in New Zealand. (Author: CSM)

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