The Diocese of Carlisle’s Diocesan Secretary is to step down after more than 20 years in charge, to take on a new Net Zero Carbon church role.

Derek Hurton joined the Diocese in 2004, acting as chief executive and senior administrative officer, managing day-to-day operations, overseeing finances and budgets, directing central staff from the Church House head office in Penrith, and ensuring compliance with charity and company law while supporting our bishops and local parishes.

He is currently the longest serving Diocesan Secretary of any of the 42 dioceses in England, and will leave his post in December, having been appointed Net Zero Carbon Officer, supporting Church of England churches and schools across Cumbria work towards Net Zero Carbon targets.

Derek said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time leading a wonderful Church House team and supporting numerous bishops, senior clergy and local vicars and congregations. In my many travels across our county I have always been amazed by the faithful commitment and service which is offered up daily by those in our local churches. It has been an honour and privilege to support those communities and to serve this Diocese.

“Equally, I am excited to focus on a new challenge. I have long been passionate about the need to protect and care for our lived environment, and my new role will help churches address that challenge. A huge plus point is that I will continue to work with Diocesan colleagues and our local churches as together we commit to tread gently and care for creation.”

Derek joined the Diocese from a senior civil service position within Jobcentre Plus. During his tenure, he has supported the Diocese through the Covid pandemic and oversaw work to secure multi-million-pound Church of England grants to benefit church revitalisation, the creation of new worshipping communities and a commitment to grow younger. He also helped enable the creation of the Diocese’s Network Youth Church across all Deaneries, with, in 2025, a core and fringe membership of more than 1,900 young people and 61 young people in leadership roles.

His new role will see him work closely with clergy, Parochial Church Councils, school leaders, governors, volunteers and professional advisors to help identify, develop and deliver practical decarbonisation and building improvement projects. It will build on his legacy as Diocesan Secretary, during which time he spearheaded work to develop two hydro-electric schemes, as well as overseeing an eight-year, £250,000 a year focus on Net Zero Carbon work on vicarages. To date, work has been completed on properties in Natland, Grasmere, Wigton, Plumpton, Maryport and Clifton, improving their energy efficiency, lowering bills for clergy occupying the houses and reducing the properties’ carbon emissions.

The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, said: “I want to thank Derek for his many years of faithful and dedicated service. The role of a Diocesan Secretary is not an easy one, with constant pressures, the need to balance budgets and governance demands all to the fore. Yet Derek has consistently delivered in all of these areas, enabling us to focus on vital mission and ministry, seeking God’s Kingdom across Cumbria, helping as many people as possible to meet Jesus and come to know Him in their lives.

“I am delighted that in his new role he will still play an active part in supporting our local churches as they look towards meeting Net Zero Carbon targets. I know this is something which Derek is passionate about and our churches will be able to draw readily upon his expertise in this area. As he prepares to stand down as Diocesan Secretary and looks to new and exciting challenges, we will hold him and all his family in our prayers.”

Mark Hurley, the recently appointed chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance, said: “Though I have only been in post for a few months, it is clear to me how ably Derek has led the diocese’s support and administrative functions for so many years. Mission and ministry must be undergirded by sound financial planning and strict governance standards. Derek has been highly focussed on both throughout his years in office and the Diocese of Carlisle is in a strong position as a result.”

An appointment process will now be launched to recruit a new Diocesan Secretary with Deputy Diocesan Secretary and Head of Finance, Ric Jaques, acting as interim Diocesan Secretary.

ENDS

For further information contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Head of Communications, on 07469 153658 or at communications@carlislediocese.org.uk.