The next team member we meet in our two-minute interview is Stephen Herbert.
Stephen has been our diocesan Finance Director since 2015. Before that, he gained broad finance experience in the UK and overseas in roles with several multinational companies. His wife Alex teaches English and Citizenship at Whitecross School in Hereford, and they have two wonderful boys aged 14 and 12, and a delightful cocker spaniel. Stephen has been closely involved in the life of his local parish church in south Herefordshire since moving to the area in 2011; he’s served as churchwarden and treasurer and helps lead a regular All Age Worship service.
I: Hello. Thanks for taking part in the 2min-Interview. We’re going in with an easy question. What is your idea of a perfect day?
SH: My ideal would be a day’s hiking with my wife and friends in the mountains of Wester Ross – picture a crisp, clear sunny autumn day with fresh snowfall and fabulous views of deep blue lochs and sea to the west. Then back for a hearty pub supper and local ale. Alternatively – if I’m allowed a second choice – a day of energetic dinghy sailing off the south coast, with a stop for a picnic lunch on a warm, sandy beach.
I: Two great choices for a perfect day. What skill would you like to master?
SH: I’d love to go on a bread-making course to be able to produce my own sourdough and artisan French loaves – nothing beats the smell of fresh bread in the kitchen!
I: That sounds very tasty. Where is the most interesting place you have visited?
SH: I once led a Latin Link summer ‘STEP’ team to Nazca in the southern Peruvian desert, where we helped rebuild a church after a big earthquake. It was a challenging assignment in hot, dusty conditions, with only a little water for a couple of hours a day, and fellow volunteers who got sick – it taught me a lot about team-working and prayerful dependence on God! After the project, I travelled on to Arequipa and La Paz, completed the Inca Trail to Macchu Picchu from Cusco, and explored the deep jungle from Puerto Maldonado. Living alongside people who have very little in isolated communities in Peru left a lasting impression on me; that experience reminds me not to take home comforts for granted, like hot water from a tap.
I: Fabulous. What a lovely experience you had! Final question - What do you enjoy about working at Hereford Diocese?
SH: I love the variety of my role – supporting local parishes, making sure day-to-day diocesan finance operations work smoothly, helping our trustees make informed resourcing decisions for the future. And I’m privileged to work alongside many excellent colleagues who also feel called to serve the diocese and support its ministry and outreach.
I: Thank you for being our first 2min interview