Our team
Acts 435 began in 2009, and was the idea of Julian Richer, who is still one of our trustees. He approached the Right Rev Dr John Sentamu, who was the Archbishop of York, and together they founded Acts 435.
Acts 435 officially launched in 2010, running a pilot in York, where the charity is still based.
Although Acts 435 has around 700 partner churches and charities they have a small staff team, which enables them to be sustained on Gift Aid reclaimed on applicable donations.
Our Patron
Right Rev Dr. John Sentamu
The Patron of Acts 435 is The Right Reverend Dr. John Sentamu. He was consecrated as Archbishop of York in 2005 and launched Acts 435 in July 2010 at General Synod. He retired from his role as the Archbishop of York in June 2020, but he continues to be an active patron of the charity.
In 2009 the Archbishop launched his own Youth Trust, helping young leaders across the North of England in the work they are doing within local communities.
The head office team
Jenny Herrera
Jenny is Acts 435's Executive Director and has been involved in the charity since operations began in October 2009. She grew up in York, and is a chartered accountant by profession. Jenny also runs the Good Business Charter, an accreditation that recognises an organisation’s responsible business behaviour. Jenny lived in Guatemala for 6 years, where she met her husband, who she has two children with.
Rhona Ellwood
Rhona is our Operations Director, and has worked with Acts 435 since 2015. She grew up in Edinburgh and moved here in 2009 to work as PA to York's Diocesan Secretary. Rhona is responsible for the day to day running of the charity, including supporting our wonderful team of Advocates. Rhona and her husband have a trio of cheeky children. They love an adventure, especially in sunny Scotland.
Katie Greene
Katie is Acts 435's Communications Director, responsible for developing external partnerships and communication with churches and donors. She worked with Christians Against Poverty for 7 years before she joined the Acts 435 Team in 2017. She has three boys and enjoys running and serving at Gateway Church in York.
Carol Dealtry
Carol joined our team in January 2022 and is responsible for administration and book-keeping. She has lived in York all her life and was the Administrator at York Community Church for ten years before joining Acts 435. Carol has a passion for supporting the elderly and spends a lot of her time in ministry with them.
