Our Staff
Giles Arnold MRICS
Chief Executive
giles.arnold@churchgrowth.org.uk01536 647164
Giles is married to Sue with two adult children. They have recently moved to Devon to look after Giles’ aging parents. He is a Chartered Surveyor. He has been managing Church Growth Trust since its inception in 2010 and before that worked for Stewardship. Although not now involved in the day-to-day management of its church buildings, he has knowledge of these and the occupying churches. He leads the expanding team and is regularly meeting trustees and elders of independent churches, who are considering how Church Growth Trust can help them with their properties. He works with other sister organisations on a national basis, including with church planting work and revitalisation of churches. He also specialises in advice for churches helping them to unravel their Trust Deeds. He has led a local independent evangelical fellowship and has a passion for discipling people in his local church, and preaching, training and mentoring.
Garryl Willis
Operations Director
garryl.willis@churchgrowth.org.uk01536 647161
Garryl is married to Louise and has four children. He joined Church Growth Trust in the summer of 2018 following holding a senior management position in Christian youth charity in Northamptonshire, and a background in the banking finance sector. He is involved in his local church and leads the worship team in this growing Pentecostal church. In his spare time he enjoys being with his family, walking with his dog 'Twix', a lively 2 year old cockerpoo, and making use of many musical instruments that fill his house.
Jonathan Bennett
Property Manager
jonathan.bennett@churchgrowth.org.uk01536 647075
Jonathan is married to Sarah, a Church of England Minister, and lives in Kettering with his two young children. He has worked in the commercial and residential property sectors in management positions, and has a qualifying law degree. Jonathan is involved in many aspects of church life and generally supports Sarah in ministry. Jonathan enjoys classic cars, cycling, playing the trombone and all things Lego.
Jonny Heaney RIBA
Architect
jonny.heaney@churchgrowth.org.uk01536 647162
Jonny is married to Emma and they have recently relocated to North Wales where they are renovating an old cottage. Jonny and Emma are both Chartered Architects and have a private architecture practice together. Jonny attends his local church and in his spare time enjoys hill walking with his wife as well as going on trips together in their camper van. He is also attempting to learn Welsh, albeit very slowly!
John Duffield MRICS
PROJECT MANAGER
john.duffield@churchgrowth.org.uk01536 647163
John is married to Caroline, a water colour artist, and they have two married sons and four young grandchildren. He is a qualified Chartered Surveyor. At his local church he is involved in pioneering. He loves sport and also enjoys walking, listening to music and reading.
Mandy Harris
Office Administrator
mandy.harris@churchgrowth.org.uk01536 647160
Mandy has worked as Administrator for CGT since 2010. She has two grown up children and lives in Rutland. Mandy is a member of a community choir, who specialise in African music and perform for charity and at local events.
Elaine Roberts
Property Administrator
elaine.roberts@churchgrowth.org.uk01536 647165
Elaine is married to David and has grown up twin children. She has worked as an administrator for many years, most recently within HR and the learning and development sector. Elaine and her husband are pastors of a lively charismatic church based in Kettering. In her spare time, Elaine enjoys learning the piano, trying out new cooking recipes and taking her cockerpoo, Tilly, on long walks.
Carol Brown
Cleaner/Administration Support
carol.brown@churchgrowth.org.uk01536 647085
Carol is married to Bernie and together they have two adorable cats...she loves her cats! Initially, Carol joined CGT to fulfil the role of Cleaner when the office moved to Seaton, as she was looking for work having just moved to Corby. In the past Carol worked in various Administration Assistant positions and is currently enjoying working part time with us as an assistant to Mandy, helping out with general admin duties. Carol and her husband attend a lively Pentecostal church. She enjoys taking photos, making greeting cards and making up personalised poems, drawing and anything crafty!
Sharon Short
Communications Manager
sharon.short@churchgrowth.org.uk01536 647506
Sharon is married to Andrew and lives in Rushton, Northamptonshire with her 2 daughters. She coupled her love of writing with marketing and has spent more than 20 years helping a wide range of organisations enhance their marketing and communications efforts. More recently, her experience within the marketing sector led her to run her own consultancy business. Understanding the independent church community is a critical part of Sharon's role as it helps us to continuously improve our services and resources. Sharon also loves sharing the good news about the work we are doing! Sharon enjoys reading, live music, swimming, and interior design in her spare time. She attends her local church in Rushton and volunteers as a governor at the village school.