Staff Team
SENIOR EXEC TEAM
Lucy Peppiatt
Principal
I have been Principal at WTC since 2013. I teach courses in Christian doctrine and in spiritual formation. I hold bachelor’s degrees in both English and Theology, and completed my MA in Systematic Theology at King’s College, London, and my PhD through the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. My research interests are Christ and the Spirit, Charismatic theology, theological anthropology, discipleship, 1 Corinthians, and women in the Bible. I am part of Crossnet Church in Bristol and love serving in the local church. Me and my husband, Nick Crawley, are committed to teaching the Bible and discipling young people.
Janey Lawry-White
Chief Operating Officer
I have had the privilege of leading the Operations team at WTC since 2018. In the last couple of years, we’ve also established WTC Consulting Ltd through which the experience, tools and skills we’ve honed running WTC are available to other theological colleges in the UK and overseas. Before joining WTC, I worked on gender-based violence in humanitarian settings with the UN and international charities, ran a couple of small businesses and worked with the BBC.I completed my GradDip in 2019 and am now studying on the MA programme. My own theological study has been life-changing and I love being part of making Kingdom Theology available to anyone who wants to join WTC. I’m married to Simon, and we have four adult children, and two grandchildren.
Catherine Catto
Finance Director
I joined WTC in 2020 to take on responsibility for the finance function. As a qualified accountant and with a degree in Business Studies I have a remit to monitor and manage the financial side of WTC, ensuring the Executive Team and Board have useful and timely information. I have held finance roles in different sectors with organisations across a range of sizes, including three multinationals, and have specialised in treasury accountancy and accounting software project management. I have worked in Scotland, where I was born, London, New York and now the Cotswolds. My husband and I have two teenagers and I enjoy spending time with family and friends, walks, travel and going to the cinema.
Ben Blackwell
Vice-Principal
I have been Vice-Principal of WTC since 2023 and also teach New Testament. I completed my PhD at Durham University, ThM at Dallas Theological Seminary, an MBA from Henderson State University, and BAs in Accounting and Biblical Languages at Ouachita Baptist University. My primary teaching and research areas include New Testament and Theology, and I thoroughly enjoy interacting with students on a wide variety of topics. I have a strong desire to invest in the church, and have served as a lay leader in a variety of ministry areas such as social justice missions, teaching, and preaching, most recently in the Vineyard tradition.
DIRECTORS
Freddy Hedley
Dean of Studies
I am the Director of Undergraduate Studies and teach Biblical Studies, with a specific focus on the Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew. I hold a BA in History and English Literature, a PGCE in History, an MA in Kingdom Theology, and am currently completing my PhD in Hebrew Bible at Kings College London. Prior to working full-time with WTC I was the Director of Fountain School of Theology in Norfolk, UK. My research interests include: Hebrew poetry, especially lament poetry; exilic biblical literature; and the theological traditions of creation and covenant. I am the author of 'The God of Page One' (2012) and 'The Colossian Image' (2016). I now live in Cheltenham with my wife Ali and our two daughters.
Kenny Innes
Director of Hub Operations & Podcast Host
I began studies with WTC in 2020, and in 2021 I became the Hub Director for the newly established Scotland Hub. In addition, I provide support to other Hub Directors to help them practically, as God continues to draw increasing numbers of students into studying Kingdom theology. I also host TheoDisc, the WTC podcast, where I talk with theologians in a way that helps others ‘get in on’ the conversation. It’s a privilege to work with WTC and invite others to engage with life-giving theology. Before working with WTC, I was in pastoral and worship ministry for 19 years, and I am still active in leadership at Falkirk Vineyard Church. I hold a BA in Film & Media Studies with English Literature and a GradDip in Kingdom Theology. I love reading, film, music and hole-in-the-wall restaurants that serve great food. I’m married to Sandra, and I have two children.
Carl Palmer
Director of IT
I have been with WTC since 2011 in the role of IT Manager, and more recently as Director of IT. My role includes the support and development of all aspects of IT at WTC. I support students, staff, Hubs and faculty in the delivery of the courses all over the UK. As well as being Director of IT, I also look after the design and development of the CDMS product with the team in WTC Consulting Ltd. I was born in Shropshire and attended University in Liverpool where I gained a BSc in Multimedia Systems. I have since worked in a number of fields. I am married to Jo and we have two daughters.
Sally Tate
Director of Events & Partnerships
I joined the central WTC team in 2021 and am responsible for organising the bi-annual Residentials and other WTC Events. When I started studying with WTC in 2018, I was working as an Engineer in the Pharmaceutical Industry - I had no idea then what God had planned for me! Studying with WTC has started me on an amazing journey... and a career change as I loved WTC so much that I took on the role of Hub Director for Bristol in 2019, taking over from Matt (see above!) and am now also doing the Events role. When I am not telling everyone how wonderful WTC is, I enjoy running - but only when it's finished, then chatting and making jokes. I am on the leadership team of my local church in Bristol and am lucky to be married to a man from Northern Ireland with whom I have three daughters.
THE STAFF TEAM
Sarah Burdett
Assistant Registrar
I joined WTC in 2016 as course administrator. I love using my administrative skills to support the students and faculty at WTC. My job is varied and includes looking after the MA and PGDip students and managing the library, as well as liaising with faculty about their modules. Before joining WTC I was the Administrator at Holy Apostles Church where I still worship and am an active member. Prior to this I was a Government Statistician having gained a PGDip in Applied Statistics and a BSc in Genetics. I am a devoted Radio 4 and 4 Extra listener, and enjoy walking, activity filled holidays and cooking. I am married to Steve and have two grown up children.
Lesley Caldwell
Hubs and Foundations Course Support
I joined WTC in August 2023. I support our Hub Directors and faculty during Zoom Video Conferences on Hub nights and work closely with everyone involved in our Foundations in Theology Course. I hold a BEd with Music Honours at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Glasgow University. Before taking on these roles at WTC I taught Music, Music Technology and Pastoral Care to pupils aged 11-18 in various schools for 11 years and KS2 Primary for 2 years. Currently along with my roles at WTC I am a Supply Teacher, a worship co-ordinator and help in various ways with my brother’s Audio-Visual business. After living away in Scotland & Canada for over 14 years I am now married to Mark (a Glaswegian), we have a beautiful black lab/retriever called Samson and have recently relocated back to my hometown of Omagh in Northern Ireland.
Alex Collishaw
Registrar
I joined the WTC team in 2010 and my work is very varied as I work closely with our students, faculty, and staff at our validating university, Chester. I completed my Graduate Diploma with WTC in June 2020 and am now studying for an MA in Kingdom Theology. I was born in Polruan, Cornwall but lived oversees for most of my childhood in the Middle East (Ahwaz in Iran and Dubai). After gaining my BSc in Statistics and Operational Research, I worked in the Civil Service in London as a Government Statistician. I live in Cheltenham with my husband Ashley, and our daughter and two sons.
Pete Edwards
Systems Architect
I joined the WTC Staff team in November 2014 to work alongside the Director of Operations and the IT Manager in providing operational and IT support to the WTC central office. My role involves supporting the online library system, building our student management system and generally trying to help make things easier for everyone. I live in Manchester with my wife, 2 daughters and a lodger. My background is in software development, previously working in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors but I now work freelance. This has given me the opportunity to help different organisations (including WTC, churches and even a US government department) using a wide mix of skills and I love the varied work this gives me.
Peter Farmer
DevOps
I joined WTC in Aug 2023. I work alongside the Director of IT, providing additional development and operational support for the student management system. This involves writing new features and improvements for the CDMS and I also provide technical support for CDMS clients of WTC Consulting Ltd. Prior to working at WTC, I spent most of my career working for Internet Service Providers, predominantly in Systems engineering and architecture. I live in Kent with my wife Donna, who is a WTC student. I have a son and two daughters, and a cocker spaniel called Norrie. I’m on the leadership team of a local community church. I enjoy making things with my laser cutter and am also a proper geek!
Rich Lush
Operations Support
I've been studying with WTC since 2017, first on the GradDip then continuing onto the Masters. In 2019 I became the Hub Director for Southampton. More recently I joined the head office staff team as Operation Support, assisting across events, IT and comms in whatever capacity is needed. Additionally I also work for Revelation Family Church as their comms manager. My heart is to support and assist people in achieving what God's put on their heart, and this has been expressed through many different roles from working as a Deputy Project Manager for a Foodbank, heading up finance for Big Church Festival, and working as a youth worker for a local church. I live in Chichester and am married to Maria, with a cat called Tiggy and a hyper-active but very cute dog called Roxy.
Juan Pedro Smit
Communications Manager
I’ve been at WTC since 2015, designing and producing all the visual materials for WTC centrally, as well as making sure our Hubs have all the comms resources they need locally. I previously spent two years on OM’s ship, the Logos II, where I met my wife and was leading the Audio/Visual Team onboard. Then worked at OM’s headquarters in Carlisle, Cumbria, as part of the media team, doing various technical and creative jobs involving sound desks, editing studios, and travelling internationally, before beginning my theological studies. I was born and raised in South Africa, am married to a Brit from Bath, and have two lovely young children who were both born in Cumbria.
Clare Vernon
Learning Development Support
I teach study skills (learning development) and support our disabled and neurodiverse students. I love getting to know students and working with them individually so that they can thrive in their studies. I’ve always been fascinated by the mechanics of how essays work and how students acquire critical thinking skills. I’m dyslexic, which means I understand firsthand the challenges and triumphs of neurodiverse students. I have a BA in French and Italian and an MPhil and PhD in medieval studies. My research specialism is cross-cultural and inter-faith encounters in the medieval Mediterranean, with a focus on southern Italy. I’ve worked as a lecturer in history, art history and humanities foundation year at various universities, including Cambridge, Manchester and Birkbeck. I’ve also taught academic English and study skills at Southampton and the Warburg Institute. I live in London.
Explore our programmes and courses to find one that best suits you!
VALIDATED PROGRAMMES
ONLINE COURSE
For those with no prior Higher Education experience. The full 6-year BA (Hons) degree programme.
If you have prior Higher Education experience, but are without a theology degree. 2 specialist tracks are offered.
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