The Wellington City Mission is delighted to announce the appointment of Murray Edridge as the new City Missioner.

Murray comes to the role with a wealth of experience, including six years in Deputy Chief Executive roles at the Ministry of Social Development, and eight years as the Chief Executive of Barnardos New Zealand. He will be finishing his current position as Interim Chief Executive at Genesis Youth Trust to take up the City Missioner role on Monday 14 May.

He commented “I am delighted to be joining the Wellington City Mission as City Missioner. It will be a great privilege to work for an organisation with an incredible history and a record of responding to the needs of those who are most vulnerable in our community, and who need support to live life in its fullness. I look forward to working alongside a wonderfully dedicated and skilled group of people as we continue to reinvigorate our commitment and deliver our services to the people of Wellington. May the presence of God in Wellington be very real and evident as the Wellington City Mission works even more effectively to serve the people of our community and make a difference in their lives in real and practical ways.”

Murray’s appointment comes after Michelle Branney, who had been The Wellington City Mission’s Chief Executive for eleven years, finished her role in February. Michelle’s resignation prompted The Mission’s Board to review the leadership structure of the organisation, which has for the last 20 years had separate roles for CEO and City Missioner. They decided to fold the two roles into one and recruit a single leader for the organisation, called the City Missioner. This decision is reflected in The Mission’s history, and also in the leadership of the City Mission’s sister organisations in Auckland and Christchurch.

The Wellington City Mission’s Board Chairman Rev Jon Hartley says: “Following a very robust external recruitment process, The Wellington City Mission Board is thrilled to announce this appointment. Murray’s energy, experience, and vision, along with his strong faith, give us confidence in his ability to lead The Mission in this new role and tackle the increasing needs for our services in the Wellington region in the years ahead.”

Since Michelle finished in her role in February, The Mission has been guided by its senior leadership team and Board while the recruitment process took place. Tric Malcolm, the Missioner under our current structure, will continue for a period to support Murray.

The Mission is excited about the ways that Murray will contribute to the organisation going forward as they continue helping Wellingtonians in need, when they need it most.

ENDS

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