We are sad to announce that Nicky Smith will leave the Diocese of Carlisle on 16 September 2025. Nicky has worked for the diocese for four and a half years and was appointed Director of Ministry Development in 2021. Since November 2024, she has also served part time on secondment to the national Church of England 30k Project as Existing Minister Lead.

The Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, Bishop of Carlisle, said: “We are very grateful for Nicky’s people centred leadership. Her commitment to learning, formation and clergy wellbeing has encouraged many across Cumbria, and her work will continue to bear fruit. We give thanks for all she has contributed and hold her in our prayers for all that comes next.”

Nicky is widely appreciated for a relational approach that has prioritised strong and supportive connections in Church House and across the diocese. Colleagues in ministry development roles, including those serving in a self-supporting capacity have valued her leadership and the way she has brought people together to share learning and support.

During her time with the diocese, Nicky launched the Discipleship Project for lay members of the church. The most recent course ran in Ambleside, with a Carlisle cohort joining remotely. Nicky has also been passionate about creating and facilitating good learning opportunities that attend to theology as well as the societal and cultural issues leaders face.

Nicky has reinvigorated clergy residentials with Bishop Rob, ensuring these remain valuable times of reflection and nurture. She has also worked with Elaine Bates, IME 2 officer, to develop the IME 2 programme for curates as well as contributing to bringing a range of new curates into the diocese with a breadth of churchmanship and charisms, including pioneering, to support mission and ministry in Cumbria.

Nicky has taken a key role in shaping the Cumbria Ministry Development Day, focusing on quality and respected speakers to ensure clergy and leaders are inspired, encouraged, challenged and nurtured in their faith and vocation. Over the past 18 months she has also contributed to strategic work, this has included the 2030 Ministry Development Strategy and Plan and leading the clergy wellbeing steering group which seeks to address the daily pressures local leaders face.

Most recently, Nicky has overseen the Northern Young Leaders programme, ably delivered by Kristy Pattimore, and together they have successfully recruited eight new interns for 2025, strengthening a pipeline of home-grown young leaders.

Rachel Head, Director of Mission and Ministry, Support and Innovation, said: “Nicky has a gift for bringing people together and keeping clergy care at the centre. She has encouraged a learning culture, supported colleagues across diverse contexts, and has done so with consistent kindness and professionalism. I am grateful for the difference she has made.”

For continuity, Jane Maycock, Interim DDO and Acting Director of Ministry Development, has been backfilling areas of ministry development during Nicky’s secondment and will continue to do so until the end of the year. Clergy and leaders should continue to access support in the usual way.