Who’s coming?
Dr Krish Kandiah
Krish is the founder of The Sanctuary Foundation, supporting refugees in the UK with welcome, work, and housing. An expert in refugee resettlement, child welfare reform, and civil society mobilisation, he has guided churches and organisations in supporting arrivals from Hong Kong, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Sudan. A regular government advisor, he chaired the Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board (2019–2021), helping find permanent families for children in care and training thousands to support vulnerable adults and children.
We’re excited to welcome Krish back to this year’s National Gathering, speaking on “Vocation Redeemed.”
Rhosanna Rigden (Just Love UK)
Rhosanna grew up as a missionary kid in India, Singapore, and Wales, and is now based in Kent. After studying Linguistics at Cambridge, she trained with Teach First, taught secondary English, and recently completed an MA in Ecological Design Thinking. She leads the Just Love Network and is especially excited to design and facilitate the new Justice Practices Course.
Passionate about holistic, sustainable justice activism, she dreams of seeing the Just Love Network go global. She also loves education, seeing people grow, and good coffee.
Rhosanna will be leading our Saturday morning main session, exploring what it means to “serve humbly” in our lives, places, and contexts.
Simon Blanchflower
Simon is a civil engineer with 40 years’ experience in the rail industry, leading major projects including Thameslink (and the redevelopment of London Bridge Station) and East West Rail. He now holds a portfolio of Non-Executive Directorships and Advisory roles, contributing to projects such as the London Olympics legacy programme, Ebbsfleet Garden City, and National Highways.
Based in North Kensington since the mid-1980s, Simon has served Latymer Community Church and the local community as a councillor, school governor, and church leader. He is passionate about investing in emerging Christian leaders in their 20s and 30s, and we’re delighted to welcome him to this year’s National Gathering.
Daisy Robinson (IMPRINT Church)
Daisy is a Parliamentary Assistant to an MP, passionate about seeing God’s kingdom in our political system. She is part of the Just Love family, having co-led the Just Love Newcastle student group with her best friend - together they saw many students come to know Jesus’ heart for justice. Daisy lives in South London and in her spare time co-hosts the Famalam podcast with her family.
Daisy will be hosting our In Conversation session on leadership, joining Wole to unpack what it looks like to lead well in our 20's and 30's - and how to navigate the potential and the pitfalls of "Leading While Young."
Rev Dr Dave Bookless (A Rocha International)
Rev Dr Dave Bookless is a theologian, speaker and writer, with a global ministry and a passion for integrating all of life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He serves as Head of Theology for A Rocha International, as a Lausanne Catalyst for Creation Care, and as an Associate Minister in a parish in London Diocese. He's also carer for his wife Anne, from who he's learned so much about living with disability.
Jackie Blanchflower
Jackie worked in the public and charitable sector before serving for 16 years as Team Leader at Latymer Community Church in West London, alongside being a mother.
With a deep call to leave the world better, she has long engaged with those on the margins of society – including people experiencing homelessness, unemployment, poor mental health, crime, or social isolation – through her work, volunteering, and daily life.
Today, Jackie offers pastoral support locally, cares for elderly relatives, helps children with reading at a primary school, and shares her love of growing flowers, brightening her estate with sunflowers “popping over the wall.”
Hannah Hodson, Impact, Quality & Development Manager (Resurgo)
Hannah is an experienced coach, impact expert and Just Love graduate! She started her career with Resurgo as a Lead Coach and helped to pioneer our first Spear Centre outside of London (Spear Brighton). Hannah's current role helps ensure the quality and outcomes of the Spear programme remain high.
Hannah will be helping lead Resurgo's two breakout workshops at the event, looking at High Performance Leadership: The Support-Challenge Matrix, and Window to the Soul: The Johari Window & Self-Awareness.
Ingrid Follert, Coaching and Training Lead (Resurgo)
Ingrid is an ICF accredited coach with over 10 years of experience, from working with young people on the Spear Programme to delivering coaching with Resurgo's corporate partners. In her current role, she oversees the Spear team’s training and development strategy and delivery.
Ingrid will be helping lead Resurgo's two breakout workshops at the event, looking at High Performance Leadership: The Support-Challenge Matrix, and Window to the Soul: The Johari Window & Self-Awareness.
Paul Edet, Spear North Kensington Lead Coach (Resurgo)
Paul joined the Spear team in 2023 with a wealth of experience in supporting and delivering training for young people in both church and charity contexts. He is a key part of Resurgo's North Kensington team, coaching young people who face significant and multiple barriers to employment, to find work and thrive.
Paul will be helping lead Resurgo's two breakout workshops at the event, looking at High Performance Leadership: The Support-Challenge Matrix, and Window to the Soul: The Johari Window & Self-Awareness.
Alex Rattee (CFI)
Alex is a board member at CFI. He is a Team Leader within Farm Animal Welfare Policy at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the UK Government.
Before joining the UK Civil Service he studied Philosophy, Politics & Economics and a Masters in Philosophical Theology at Oxford University.
Alex is a member of the Just Love Network and will be helping run CFI's Career Impact Workshops at the event!
Cherena Reynolds (CFI)
Cherena started as an intern at Christians For Impact in a year out of university, and now works as a General Editor and Digital Marketing Specialist.
She is in her final year of studying Geography at Cambridge, and is particularly interested in solving migration-related injustices in her career.
Alex is a member of the Just Love Network and will be helping run CFI's Career Impact Workshops at the event!
Josh Smedley (Just Love UK)
Josh is the CEO of Just Love, based in Teesdale, where he leads the team of Directors and supports Just Love Durham. He is passionate about reading, teaching, and developing others, and in his spare time enjoys walking, gardening, and most sports.
Josh will be with us all weekend—do grab him for a coffee and a catch-up! He’ll also be sharing in Saturday’s Make Just Love Happen session, with inspiring stories from across the UK and ways to get more involved in the movement through prayer, relationship, and giving.
Just Love Students Team
The most fun team in Just Love are on our Introducing Stage! Whether you’re a student (or a parent of one), come for snacks, banter, and the latest on the Just Love student movement—Apprenticeships, Student Groups, Training, and more.
We’re especially excited about the brand-new Just Love Apprenticeship, a flexible way to engage with justice in the way of Jesus wherever you study—perfect if there isn’t a Student Group in your city. And if you’ve already graduated, check out the Introducing the Just Love Network meet-up next door!
Brother Sam (Society of St Francis, SSF)
Br Sam has been a Franciscan brother for almost as long as he can remember, seeking to respond to the Franciscan vocation to live and work at the margins of society to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
He has had a particular involvement with developing Hilfield Friary a Dorset as a place of sustainability and care for creation – our common home. He now lives in east London where the brothers share their friary with those seeking asylum in the UK.
Drawing on various church traditions, Sam will be sharing with us about ancient practices for vocational discernment.
Alex Voica (CFI)
Alex is CFI’s marketing and social media lead. With a background in Psychology and a master’s in Behaviour Change from UCL, she previously worked in digital optimisation and user research.
Since becoming a Christian at university and joining Just Love, she has been passionate about serving the global poor, reaching people with the Gospel, and helping Christians use their gifts for God’s Kingdom - something she loves doing through her work at CFI!
Alex is a member of the Just Love Network and will be helping run CFI's Career Impact Workshops at the event!
Just Love Network Team
Arguably the most fun team in Just Love, the Network Team are taking over the Introducing Stage! Join them for a snapshot of all things Network—Regional Hubs, Just Love Projects, and where we’re heading with Spheres.
You can also chat to Kathryn about Just Love in Scotland and hear about our next Network Retreats in 2026. This is a great space if you’re new to Just Love or reconnecting after a few years. The Network is open to all Christians passionate about justice in the way of Jesus—at any age or stage (graduates very welcome too!).
Rachel Evans (Just Love UK)
Rachel was born in London, grew up in Malaysia and Hertfordshire, and studied Social Anthropology at LSE. Now based in Cambridge, she supports student committees in Nottingham and Cambridge, helps develop how Just Love equips students, and contributes to the Partnerships team.
She loves gathering people around food (with coffee, drawing, and singing on the side!) and is passionate about integral mission and conflict transformation. At this year’s National Gathering, Rachel and Judith are hosting the Connect Café—a space to meet and connect with Just Love partner organisations working across peace and justice issues.
Judith Holmes (Just Love UK)
Based in Edinburgh, just south of her hometown St Andrews, Judith works with Just Love Groups in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Newcastle, and leads Just Love’s Partnerships Department. She is passionate about the Church showing practical love to its neighbours and about individuals stepping into the fullness of God’s plan for them.
She also loves the North Sea, theology books, and hosting around the dinner table. At this year’s National Gathering, Judith and Rachel are hosting the Connect Café—a space to meet and connect with partner organisations working across a wide range of peace and justice issues.
