The Anglican Communion has announced the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer for the 2020 Lambeth Conference -- Phil George, currently Executive Director of  the New Wine network of churches in the UK.

Phil George has worked for New Wine for 14 years, following a 26 year career in corporate banking.  He will take up his post in September: “I am extremely excited about this new appointment working with the Anglican Communion Office and Lambeth Palace to help deliver the next Lambeth Conference. This historic occasion will be a great success and to serve Archbishop Justin in this way is both a privilege and an honour.”

When the Lambeth Design Group first came together earlier this year to plan for Lambeth 2020, a decision was made to fix the venue for Canterbury, starting in the last week of July, 2020.

The Anglican Communion’s Secretary General, Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, said: “I welcome the appointment of Philip George as CEO of the Lambeth Conference Company. He has an impressive CV and will bring energy, enthusiasm and considerable expertise to the role. The Lambeth conference of 2020 comes at a significant time in the life of the Communion and I am sure Phil will oversee a memorable occasion. I am certain the whole Communion will want to lift him in prayer as he takes up his post.”

New Wine was established in 1989 as a Christian festival in England and now attracts tens of thousands of people every summer. Phil George is married with three grown up children and worships at St. Paul’s, Ealing in west London.