Today we say farewell and thank you to Rod Ismay who has served as Interim Finance Manager for the Diocese for a year, and who is leaving to become Interim Finance Director at Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield.

Since Rod lives in Sheffield this will greatly reduce his daily commute as well as building on the experience of working in the charity sector he has gained in the Diocese of York after many years working for the Post Office.

As Rod leaves the Diocesan Finance Team, Neil McFarthing has agreed to remain with us as Interim Management Accountant to provide some continuity and oversight for the finance function, and particularly the Year End, pending successful recruitment of a substantive head of the Finance Team. He will also continue to support Management Accountant Paulina Damasiewicz through her early months with the Diocese.

Diocesan Secretary and Chief Executive Peter Warry said, "I am very grateful to Rod for the way in which he stepped in and, supported by the whole Finance team, has kept the show on the road over the last year."

Rod's whirlwind style, occasional excursions into Franglais and his enthusiasm for all things to do with Bells and Bikes will be missed in the Diocesan Office.