The Revd Canon Rana Khan – Chair of the Board
Rev’d Canon Rana Youab Khan is an Anglican priest serving as the Area Dean of Brecon in the Church in Wales. Before this role, he was the Adviser to the Archbishop of Canterbury on international interreligious dialogues. Prior to moving to England, he served as a parish priest and prison chaplain in the Diocese of Lahore, Church of Pakistan, and taught Hebrew at the University of Punjab.
In addition to his pastoral work, Revd Khan holds various international responsibilities, including serving as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s representative at the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) in Lisbon.
He has a long-standing association with Christians Aware and, since 2024, has served as Chair of its Board.
Norma Hayward
Norma is a retired accountant who worked for a consortium of primary Schools in Essex. Born in Yorkshire, she has been a member of Christians Aware for at least fifty years and a trustee for many years. She has travelled extensively with Christians Aware, including India, Kenya and the Middle East as well as co-leading pilgrimages in the UK and abroad. She is currently assistant Treasurer, having previously been Treasurer for six years.
Bob Taylor
Bob, our Vice-Chairman, is a former HM Revenue and Customs officer, where he used to work. He is currently a minister in deepest Somerset as well as our Regional Representative for the South West. In Christians Aware, Bob also heads the Operations Group and the Finance Team. Away from Christians Aware and the church, you can often find him watching figure skating competitions – we know well his ability to skate on thin ice!
Martin Slater
Martin has enjoyed a long and fulfilling career in the wine trade. Despite his unique background, he has found a harmonious blend with his friends and colleagues at Christians Aware. His unique blend of professional achievement in the wine trade and his dedication to Christians Aware highlights Martin’s multifaceted character and dedication to making a positive impact. Martin’s journey with Christians Aware began nearly four decades ago when he attended his first conference. This experience profoundly impacted him, and he often reflects on how much he has gained from being a part of this community. Martin is deeply inspired by Christians Aware’s vision of living in hope and feels humbled to contribute to this mission.
Frances Pike
Frances is our Treasurer who began keeping accounts aged 10 (for the school tuck shop). Now retired, she has worked for private, public and third sector organisations in various capacities – including lecturer, HR officer, company secretary, careers adviser, and performance manager (dealing with NHS health statistics). Frances first joined Christians Aware in the last millennium when she enjoyed a visit to Sri Lanka, learning so much about the Charity’s vision.
Ian Bosman
Ian is a retired teacher who has worked in Zambia as a teacher in a Secondary Technical School, and a Methodist Mission Partner in the Cape Coast Diocese of Ghana. He looks after the property where the Methodist Chair of the Birmingham District lives, has three sons who are married, five grandchildren – one of whom is Ghanaian. Along with his wife, Diana, they believe passionately in education being the route out of poverty and being free for all. Recently, they have helped to fund the building of a three storey classroom block at a school near Cape Coast in Ghana.
Ayub Khan
Ayub studied for his LLB in Law while making significant strides in community service. Since age 14, he has been actively involved with Christians Aware, and in 2021, he advanced to a trustee role. He furthered his experience through an internship at the House of Commons and is currently studying for a Master’s in Law. At Christians Aware, Ayub spearheads the youth programme.
Subash Chellaih
Subash was born in Kanyakumari, South India and works as a social activist and interfaith worker. He is married to Ruth Subash and has three wonderful children. Notably, in 2019 Subash won the Rotary Peace Award for outstanding Interfaith work. Currently was a chaplain at University of Lincoln and is currently the Director of The Centre for Reconciliation based in Lincoln.
John Bennet
John is an Anglican priest living in Wharfedale, Diocese of Leeds. He is also a Rural Officer, married to Rita, a school governor, and they have twin daughters, both married with children. John and Rita served overseas in the Church of Bangladesh in an ecumenical appointment and prior to that John served as a Methodist Minister, including as Superintendent. John has served on the Board of Christians Aware since 2002.
Matt King
Matt has a Master’s degree in International Development and has worked in Bangladesh and Argentina. Matt has a background in UK public sector senior leadership and commissioning. Matt has been the CEO of a mental health charity in Essex for 14 years, having grown the charity from 6 to 65 staff. Matt is married to Eleanor and they have three lovely children, who have enjoyed attending Christians Aware conferences and events all of their lives.
Barbara Mayhew
Barbara lives in East Anglia and has worked with the interfaith community in Suffolk for over 20 years.
She has studied inter-religious dialogue at Heythrop College. Barbara worked with her late husband for many years in Christian publishing in Suffolk. Her interests are Israel/Palestine peace initiatives and trying to keep up with her daughters and 16 grandchildren.