New Mission Director for ICS

Intercontinental Church Society is pleased to announce the appointment of its next Mission Director,
The Reverend Simon Cansdale who is expected to take up the role on 1 September 2026. This appointment marks an important new chapter for ICS as it continues its long-standing mission to plant and serve English‑speaking Anglican communities across Europe, North Africa, South America, and beyond.

Simon currently serves as Vicar of Christ Church Winchester, a parish he has led since 2019. His ministry has been marked by a strong commitment to preaching, pastoral care, discipleship and mission and his valuable experience in fundraising, international mission, and cross-cultural ministry will be a great asset to the work of ICS. Simon has previously led the Parish of Great Chesham in South Bucks, St Giles’ West Bridgford in Nottingham, was Associate Vicar of Holy Trinity Cambridge, and a Curate at St Mary’s Bletchley. The year after leaving school he was a Lay Assistant at St Mark’s Versailles. Simon is married to Naomi, an Economics and Geography Teacher, and they have three children in their twenties.

Simon says, ‘I feel honoured to be invited to take up the role of ICS Mission Director, excited at the prospect of working with the Council and membership to help ICS be a church planting movement, and grateful for the chance of a thorough handover with Richard before we say Thank You and Goodbye to him’. Simon will be formally welcomed at the upcoming ICS AGM on 17 July, when we will bid farewell to the outgoing Director, Richard Bromley, who said, ‘I am delighted with the appointment of Simon at this pivotal time for ICS and wish him well as he takes ICS forward in the mission to make Christ known’.

ICS extends its deepest gratitude to The Revd Canon Richard Bromley who has faithfully served as Mission Director since 2013. Under his leadership, ICS has undergone meaningful growth, strengthened its chaplaincy teams across several countries, and navigated a demanding season of organisational transition. As reported at the 2025 AGM, Richard oversaw successful recruitment efforts in key European regions, supported new mission initiatives, and guided ICS through evolving ministry opportunities.

The arrival of a new Mission Director represents a new season in ICS’s ongoing journey of equipping and encouraging existing churches and short-term mission, church planting, and serving the world-wide church. With over fifty mission partners, ICS remains committed to helping people find Jesus through mission and ministry in English for everyone.