Justin Day has been announced as the next Chair of the Truro Diocesan Board of Finance Ltd. Justin has extensive experience in law, trusteeship, and chairmanship.

Justin received overwhelming backing from diocesan synod members who voted unanimously for his appointment. He attended the diocesan synod in Bodmin on Saturday to meet synod members as his predecessor, Mike Sturgess stepped down after nine years in the role.

Justin, who hails from Looe but now lives near Truro and worships at New Street Church in Falmouth, felt called to put his experiences to good use in the role of Chair of the TDBF. He said: “The diocesan ten-year strategic plan presents some exciting opportunities and challenges for the Church in Cornwall to grow in faithfulness, curiosity and mutuality while maintaining the strong traditions built up over many generations.

“At New Street Church we are a missional church reaching out to children and young people as well as to the disadvantaged in society and I am looking forward to serving the whole of the diocese and make a positive contribution to the life of the Church in Cornwall.”

Justin graduated with a degree in Biblical Archaeology before qualifying as a solicitor. He was a partner in a local Westcountry law firm before being appointed as a Deputy District Judge serving throughout Devon and Cornwall.

Following a return to education, Justin gained a degree in Applied Physics and went to work as an Audiologist in Southampton. Following a secondment to the Chief Executives Office there, he moved to The Royal Bournemouth Hospital as their Trust Secretary and senior legal advisor.

On his return to Cornwall, Justin took up a role as Legal Director of Peninsula Community Health CIC. He also became a trustee for St Petrocs before joining the charity as its legal director and company secretary.

In a voluntary capacity, Justin is the current chair of Wave Multi-Academy Trust, vice Chair of New Street Church CIO and a trustee for Transformation Cornwall.

Simon Cade, Diocesan Secretary said: “Those of us who know Justin from his fantastic work in school leadership will look forward to him bringing rigour and clarity of mind to working with the Diocesan Board of Finance. Parish Treasurers may know of him already, he was, amongst many other roles, previously a trustee of the Association of Church Treasurers and Accountants for whom he led on the introduction of GDPR and the legal structure of PCCs as charities. The Church House team are looking forward to getting to know him and working with him.”

Bishop Hugh Nelson, Acting Bishop of Truro, said: “I am delighted to welcome Justin as the new Chair of the Truro Diocese Board of Finance. He brings with him long experience of finance and governance in organisations committed to supporting the people and communities of Cornwall. He has a deep faith and a gentle wisdom, and I am very much looking forward to working with him.”