Originally from Connecticut, USA, Alice came to the UK in 2023 to study for a Master’s degree in Music at the University of Birmingham.  With a background in choral singing, Alice has worked with young people in both school and church settings as a music tutor, youth leader, and teacher. She is thrilled to combine her passions for music education and youth work in her role at Wanstead Parish.  In her free time, Alice can be found practicing ceramics at her local pottery studio and exploring London with friends.

Rob joined Wanstead Parish in 2024 following a long career in public service with HM Customs & Excise and HM Revenue & Customs. During more than 34 years he held a wide range of operational, policy and leadership roles, culminating in leading national Customs Enforcement Policy. His work included advising Ministers, representing the UK internationally and developing policy across customs, sanctions, cultural goods and intellectual property protection.

Since taking early retirement, Rob has continued to work as a policy adviser and consultant while also pursuing his long-standing interests in watercolour and acrylic painting, creative writing and model making.

Although relatively new to the parish, Rob quickly became an active member of the Inspire Wanstead Heritage Lottery Fund Steering Group before being appointed Churchwarden. He is passionate about helping Christ Church and St Mary's flourish as welcoming places of worship at the heart of the local community.

Simon has lived in Wanstead for most of his life. He has 3 children and is ably supported by his very patient wife, Tina. He really enjoys teaching and after over 35 years in the classroom he has finally gone part time so that he can spend more time reading around theology, finish those DIY tasks still undone and enjoy his family. He also enjoys singing in the Parish Choir.

Dr Preethi Premkumar is actively involved in the life of the Church as a choir member and intercessor.  She is also now our parish secretary.  Preethi is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at London South Bank University and specialises in research on mental health and neuroscience. Between 2010 and 2020, she was a Lecturer/Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University.  There too, she served the local Anglican churches through music.

Adrian was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and emigrated to the United Kingdom in 1966 at the age of nine.  He spent his formative years in Hackney before it was gentrified.  He is married and the father of five children. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Adrian has a particular passion for cricket. He is also a keen golfer and a dedicated supporter of rugby.

Adrian has been a committed member of St Mary's Church for the past five years where he has served as a sidesman and has organised many of the social events at St Mary’s.

Liz grew up on the Isle of Wight, one of six siblings: a very blessed place to be.  She studied Economics at uni and had various roles in the Education system before discerning for ministry.  She was ordained in 2007 and all her full- time parish ministry (2007-2016) was spent in Wanstead where she was curate and then Rector; hence her love of both the people and the place.  Liz belongs to the Third Order of St Francis believing, as Francis did, that God puts something of himself into every part of his creation, making all creation part of an interconnected community.  She loves spending time with family and friends, particularly her granddaughter Georgie, walking her dog, Grace, and generally being out in nature, reading, music, sudoku, jigsaws.

Originally from Canada, David and his family have lived in the UK on-and-off since 2004. David holds degrees in theology, literature, and education. For most of his adult life David has either been a student or a teacher. In 2015 he completed a DPhil at Oxford then he went on to teach at a theological college in Winnipeg, Canada, where he trained people for Diaconal ministry. In 2019 when David returned to England he felt a call to ministry and pursued discernment. David trained for ministry at St Augustine's College in London.  In his spare time David enjoys food, music, and time spent by lakes with family and friends. Contact: wanstead.curate@gmail.com