General Synod Elections 2026

Information about election of new clergy and lay members to General Synod.

General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England. It shapes and approves laws that affect the whole of the Church of England. It agrees new forms of worship, debates matters of national and international importance, and approves the annual budget for the work of the Church at national level. 

Elections are now under way for new General Synod members. Those elected will serve for five years.   

Lichfield Diocese has twelve places – five clergy, and seven lay people. 

Nominations for election opened on 14 August and closed on 7 September 2026.

Due to the number of nominations exceeding the number of seats in both houses, there will be an election for both the House of Clergy and the House of Laity.  

How the election process works 

The lay Deanery Synod members in the diocese vote for lay candidates, and the clergy in the diocese vote for clergy candidates. 

The voting period starts on 21 September and ends on 12 October (for postal ballots) and 13 October (for electronic ballots). The results will be announced by 19 October and our count takes place on 14th October.

For those who are eligible to vote, voting will be via an online portal, or by post for those who had previously advised the Presiding Officer that they are without email.

Candidates standing for election

The following candidates are standing for election in Lichfield Diocese.  Please click on the candidate's name to view their election address:

House of Clergy (listed alphabetically)

BALL, The Revd Martin

ICKE, The Revd Robert

JACKSON, The Ven Liz

LARKIN, The Revd Preb Treena

LENANDER, The Revd Laura

MASON, The Revd Matt

OLUMUYIWA, The Revd Preb Dr Taiwo

ROBBIE, The Revd Neil

SIMS, The Revd David

STATHER, The Revd Canon John

VASBY-Burnie, The Revd Tim

WALSH, The Revd Dr Abbie

House of Laity (listed alphabetically)

BAKER, Mr Andrew

CHAPMAN, Mr Mark

CHETTA,Mr David

DREW, Ms Anne

GILL, Mr Chris

HAYNES, Mrs Wendy

HOLMES, Miss Jessica

HUTCHINSON, Mr Neil

IGAUNIS, Mr Tomass

KING, Ms Deborah

MACLEAN, Mr Malcolm

ONWUZURUMBA, Mr Nnaeto

PORTER, Mr Joe

ROBBIE, Mrs Amanda

ROBINSON, Mrs Kathy

SHARP, Mrs Immy

VINCE, Mr Steve

WILSON, Mr John (Tug)

Information about Election Addresses

An Election Address is an opportunity for each candidate to set out why they want to be elected and what they could bring to the role. All Election Addresses provided to us by candidates are published on this page.

Publication of an Election Address should not be seen as an endorsement of any candidate by the diocese.  The dicoese is not responsible for any comments or opinions expressed in Election Addresses.

Find out more 

• Watch this short explainer video: What is the General Synod? 

• Have questions? Email our synod administrator

   or call 01543 306067

   

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