MEET THE TEAM

Introducing CSM's Director and elected officers

Introducing CSM’s Director

Andy became the director of the Christian Socialist Movement in January 2009.

Andy Flannagan, CSM Director

andy.flannagan@thecsm.org.uk

Andy is an Irish singer-songwriter who was previously a hospital doctor, but his proudest moment as an Irishman was captaining England’s Barmy Army during the Ashes in Australia. Well known as a broadcaster and author as well as songwriter and musician, Andy champions campaigns for many leading development agencies. His audiences have ranged from MPs at Westminster to Young Offenders’ institutions, to ski-ers in the Alps to Gordon Brown at the Labour Party Conference. He is the Campaigns officer for his local Branch Labour Party, and fought a Lambeth council by-election in 2008.

Introducing CSM’s Elected Officers

The CSM Officers were elected by a postal ballot of the whole membership in March 2007.

Alun Michael, CSM Chair

alun@thecsm.org.uk

The Rt Hon Alun Michael MP has been Labour & Co-operative MP for Cardiff South & Penarth since 1987. He was previously a journalist, a youth worker, a city councillor and Chair of the Cardiff Juvenile Bench. Brought up as a Welsh Presbyterian, he became an Anglican at university and is a strong supporter of ecumenism. A former Cabinet Minister, he served as Deputy Home Secretary, Secretary of State for Wales, was the first First Minister of the Welsh Assembly. Subsequently he became Minister for Rural Affairs and then Minister of State for Industry and the Regions.

Before the 1997 general election he undertook a major review of the Government’s relationship with the Voluntary & Community Sector, and introduced the 'Compact' process to Government as Deputy Home Secretary. Currently, he chairs the Third Sector Network, works with Volunteering England on employee volunteering, and is working on issues of internet governance and cutting e-crime. He represents Wales on the National Executive of the Co-operative Party. He is married with five children, enjoys mountain walking, running and opera, and sings in the Parliamentary Choir.

Helen Dennis, Vice-chair

helen@thecsm.org.uk

Helen is currently studying for an MA in Public Policy at King’s College, London. Until recently, Helen has worked primarily in youth affairs, with the national youth volunteering charity v, and prior to this, with YMCA England where she had a particular policy focus on youth homelessness and social exclusion. She joined CSM whilst working for Stephen Timms MP, is actively involved with her local church in Peckham (South-East London), and a member of Dulwich and West Norwood CLP. Helen was elected to the CSM Executive Committee in 2006 and became Vice-Chair in 2007.

rahcael

Rachael Maskell

Rachael.Maskell@unitetheunion.org

Rachael has been a member of CSM for over 15 years, and a member of the Executive for periods over this time, elected to be Vice Chair at the 2009 AGM. She longs for a bold Christian witness in the political arena and to see Christians engaging in politics as part of their witness in standing for truth and against the injustices in our society. Rachael works as a national union official covering the not for profit sector, housing and the church.

Stephen Beer, Political Communications Officer

stephen@thecsm.org.uk

Stephen has experience of working with the Methodist Church, with Labour Party campaigns and constituencies in London and on the Members Council of Guys and St Thomas' Hospital Trust. He stood as Labour candidate in Wantage in the 2001 General Election. Stephen has been an Officer of CSM since 2003, including work as vice chair, and has worked extensively on CSM’s values debate over the past 3 years

David Canning, Secretary

david@thecsm.org.uk

David was elected to the CSM National Executive in March 2004, elected as Secretary in 2005 and re-elected in 2007. He is also currently Chair of Christians in Politics - the cross party group that aims to promote democratic engagement in Christian communities. A keen musician, David leads worship at Colchester Area Community Church in Essex. David was formerly a Borough Councillor in Colchester and for several years a contituency party chair and election agent. He now works in the Ministry of Justice where he is responsible for introducing innovation and change into the UK electoral system.

Andy Freeman, 02/03/2009