Meet the Team
St Martha’s College is led by Revd Dr Anna Poulson and has a fine team of theological teachers who are experienced in parish leadership. All our training is rooted in worship that reflects the various worshipping styles across our diocese and takes place in an atmosphere of faith and encouragement, and in close partnership with all our parishes.
We look forward to welcoming you, the future church leaders in our diocese!
Leadership Team
Revd Dr Anna Poulson
Anna was ordained in 2002 and for the past twenty years has lived, worked and worshipped in Southall, a multi-ethnic and multi-religious hub in West London.
Before joining the St Martha’s College team in 2023 as Academic Dean, she had been the vicar of St John’s Southall Green, a vibrant intercultural Resource Church in the heart of the local community.
Her PhD is in Christian Ethics, and she has also contributed to thinking and training on interculturalism and unconscious bias in the Willesden Area of the London Diocese for a number of years.
Anna is married to Mark, who is also ordained and who leads the new Mission Zone across Southall and North Hounslow. They have three children and enjoy spending time together as a family, whether it’s over Sunday roasts, supporting the local Parkrun (some sprinting, some staggering) or exploring the beautiful Suffolk countryside
Anna was ordained in 2002 and for the past twenty years has lived, worked and worshipped in Southall, a multi-ethnic and multi-religious hub in West London.
Before joining the St Martha’s College team in 2023 as Academic Dean, she had been the vicar of St John’s Southall Green, a vibrant intercultural Resource Church in the heart of the local community.
Her PhD is in Christian Ethics, and she has also contributed to thinking and training on interculturalism and unconscious bias in the Willesden Area of the London Diocese for a number of years.
Anna is married to Mark, who is also ordained and who leads the new Mission Zone across Southall and North Hounslow. They have three children and enjoy spending time together as a family, whether it’s over Sunday roasts, supporting the local Parkrun (some sprinting, some staggering) or exploring the beautiful Suffolk countryside
Beth Perkins (On Maternity Leave)
For 13 years, Beth worked in youth ministry roles in churches and for a local charity. During this time, she also completed an MA in Biblical Studies with a research focus on the New Testament and Mental Health.
Beth was involved with teaching on the Foundations in Ministry programme before taking on the role of Programme Lead in 2025. She has a passion for preaching, teaching and encouraging others to live out their faith and follow God’s call on their lives.
Beth has worshipped in the Diocese of Guildford since 2009 (minus 2 years in Bristol), and now worships at St Paul’s Camberley, where her husband Ben is the vicar.
In her spare time, she enjoys running, reading, walking her black Labrador Molly and overseeing the musical worship at church.
For 13 years, Beth worked in youth ministry roles in churches and for a local charity. During this time, she also completed an MA in Biblical Studies with a research focus on the New Testament and Mental Health.
Beth was involved with teaching on the Foundations in Ministry programme before taking on the role of Programme Lead in 2025. She has a passion for preaching, teaching and encouraging others to live out their faith and follow God’s call on their lives.
Beth has worshipped in the Diocese of Guildford since 2009 (minus 2 years in Bristol), and now worships at St Paul’s Camberley, where her husband Ben is the vicar.
In her spare time, she enjoys running, reading, walking her black Labrador Molly and overseeing the musical worship at church.
Revd Janet Williams (Maternity Cover)
Janet was ordained in June 2026 and is a Part-Time SSM Curate at St John’s Stoke, Guildford (“SJS”).
Before joining the St Martha’s College Team, Janet worked as a Children and Families Pastor at SJS for over 4 years and before that, as an In-House Commercial Solicitor and then an Employment Lawyer for many years.
She did her training at St Martha’s College and is delighted that as interim FiM Lead she will have the opportunity to support, encourage, pray for and walk alongside fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who feel that the Lord just might be calling them into lay or ordained ministry!
Janet has a real heart for sharing God’s love with people in her local community. She believes that everyone deserves to feel loved and valued. She is Chaplain at the Samson Centre, a local MS Charity and wants to be a bridge between her SJS family and the Samson Centre family.
Janet is married to Sydney, who leads a Life Group, is a PCC Member, part of the Prayer Ministry Team and the Next Chapter Project Team at SJS. Grace, their daughter lives in Canberra, Australia with her husband Joey and they are praying for and awaiting the safe arrival of their first grandchild (a little girl) in October 2026! In her spare time, Janet enjoys going on walks, reading and travel!”
Janet was ordained in June 2026 and is a Part-Time SSM Curate at St John’s Stoke, Guildford (“SJS”).
Before joining the St Martha’s College Team, Janet worked as a Children and Families Pastor at SJS for over 4 years and before that, as an In-House Commercial Solicitor and then an Employment Lawyer for many years.
Janet did her training at St Martha’s College and is delighted that as interim FiM Lead she will have the opportunity to support, encourage, pray for and walk alongside fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who feel that the Lord just might be calling them into lay or ordained ministry!
Janet has a real heart for sharing God’s love with people in her local community. She believes that everyone deserves to feel loved and valued. She is Chaplain at the Samson Centre, a local MS Charity and wants to be a bridge between her SJS family and the Samson Centre family.
Janet is married to Sydney, who leads a Life Group, is a PCC Member, part of the Prayer Ministry Team and the Next Chapter Project Team at SJS. Grace, their daughter lives in Canberra, Australia with her husband Joey and they are praying for and awaiting the safe arrival of their first grandchild (a little girl) in October 2026! In her spare time, Janet enjoys going on walks, reading and travel!”
Revd Dr Lisa Cornwell
Before joining the team in September 2021, Lisa served nineteen years in parish ministry in the Diocese of Oxford, where she has spent the last fifteen years as Vicar of Crowthorne.
In addition to parish responsibilities, she had stints as a tutor for the Oxford Diocese and served as a Vocations Advisor for the deanery. She completed a professional Doctorate in Theology and Ministry at King’s College London. Her thesis title was: “Ego development or ego denial: Is there a Christian case for a healthy ego?” She trained in Spiritual Direction on the Ignatian Spirituality Course, in London and has an interest in dreams of the nocturnal variety, writing a book, Dreams: The Path to Wholeness, launched at the Greenbelt Festival in 2006.
Prior to ordination, Lisa began her working life in the insurance industry, before studying Theology and undertaking a PGCE to become a Secondary School Teacher and Head of R.E. at a school in Maidenhead.
She is married to Mike, a special needs teacher, whom she met on parish “attachment” at theological college. They now live in Salisbury, where Lisa assists at the Cathedral. To unwind, she likes to go jogging (short distances!), walking, watch a compelling TV drama or political satire, or for a treat, head to the local theatre, and catch up with friends.
Revd Delia Orme
Having built my business as a Chartered Accountant I felt called to serve in ministry at the same time as my husband’s health was deteriorating. Although now a widow of many years, I have found answering God’s calling the foundation of my life.
Ordained in 2008 I serve as Associate Minister in 3 parishes across the Godalming Deanery. Now semi-retired from business last year and have been appointed as Bishop’s SSM Officer for Guildford Diocese, and Caleb Chaplain.
I look forward to helping others work out their calling through this exciting new venture.
Rt Revd Peter Hancock
Ordained in Portsmouth Diocese in 1980, Peter served in 5 dioceses as a curate, vicar, archdeacon and suffragan bishop.
Before moving into the Diocese of Guildford and taking on the leadership of the Caleb Stream, he was Bishop of Bath and Wells until 2021. Now Senior Tutor for the Elizabeth Pathway, he also serves as an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Guildford and an Assistant Priest at St Nicolas’ Church, Cranleigh.
Peter is married to Jane, and they have four grown-up children and 8 grandchildren. Peter enjoys outdoor activities, including walking, swimming and watching sport (from the armchair these days). As a family, they like to travel and enjoy holidays often in Cornwall or France.
He looks forward to continuing to support St Martha’s College into the future.
Ordained in Portsmouth Diocese in 1980, Peter served in 5 dioceses as a curate, vicar, archdeacon and suffragan bishop.
Before moving into the Diocese of Guildford and taking on the leadership of the Caleb Stream, he was Bishop of Bath and Wells until 2021. He also serves as an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Guildford and an Assistant Priest at St Nicolas’ Church, Cranleigh.
Peter is married to Jane, and they have four grown-up children and 8 grandchildren. Peter enjoys outdoor activities, including walking, swimming and watching sport (from the armchair these days). As a family, they like to travel and enjoy holidays often in Cornwall or France.
He looks forward to continuing to support St Martha’s College into the future.
Beauty Adeosun
Hi, I’m the e-Learning Coordinator for the Learning Hub, where I support the design and delivery of online learning across our non-accredited programmes. I was born in Nigeria and moved to the UK over 20 years ago, and my career has always been connected to education in one way or another.
In my role, I work closely with staff to create clear, accessible, and engaging Moodle spaces, helping to turn ideas into practical online learning experiences that genuinely support learners. I enjoy working behind the scenes to make sure the Learning Hub is welcoming, easy to navigate, and runs smoothly.
I am passionate about inclusive education and creating digital learning environments where people feel supported and confident to learn. Outside of work, I love spending time with family and friends, listening to music, watching movies, reading, and travelling.
Rachel Bader
Originally from the Midlands, I went to university in Hull before moving down to London and then eventually to Guildford where I met my husband at a local church. I still live in Guildford and worship at a local Baptist Church and enjoy being part of the welcome team there.
Coming from a background in administration and communication at small and large charities, church administration and more recently HR and finance at a secondary school, I really look forward to using my experience and skills to deliver efficiently the St Martha’s College programmes whilst getting to know the students, staff and other stakeholders
Natasha Wigley
Natasha is an experienced administrator with a strong background in higher education and organisational support, working for the University of Winchester.
Associate Tutors
Revd Timothy Armstrong
Tim was ordained in 2019 and is the Vicar of Holy Trinity Westcott where he worships with his wife Jenny and their four young boys.
He is passionate about enabling systematic and biblical theology to be of living and breathing service to worshippers in their local church context. While doing his Masters at Durham, his dissertation focused on communicating the doctrine of sin in the contemporary context. He has a particular interest in historical theology and how it can speak afresh to the church today.
Prior to ordination he has a background in youth ministry and has had the privilege of seeing God at work in a wide range of contexts. When he is not in the parish or spending time with the family, he can normally be found running silly distances for fun.
Ruth Cornish
Revd James Hanson
James is currently Vicar of Burpham, having served his title post in Alfold and Loxwood, both in Guildford Diocese. A lifelong learner, he was a Maths teacher and sports coach before becoming Head of two different Surrey schools before his calling to Ordained ministry.
He is Chair of Trustees of the Guildford Town centre Chaplaincy, and a Director of the Good Shepherd Trust multi-academy trust of schools. During his training, his MA thesis fostered his current research interests in Character Formation through the lens of the early Apostles.
He is married to Jenny (a local Social Worker), and they have two teenage daughters. When he is at rest, he loves hiking, playing games and remodelling his Lego collection.
Revd Kelly Morris
My name is Reverend Kelly Morris and I am serving as a curate at St Andrew’s Church in Cobham. I began my ministry training as an LLM student in 2024 but moved across to the first of the Caleb cohorts in September 2024. I was ordained at Guildford Cathedral as a Deacon in September of 2025 and again as Priest in June of 2026.
I am a teacher by profession, and have just retired after 23 years of teaching A Level Chemistry and 14 years as a Head of Year at Esher Sixth Form College. My passion is for both teaching and pastoral work.
I very much look forward to serving St Martha’s College in my capacity as Study Skills Support Associate Tutor.
Revd Peter Nevins
I have over 25 years of international ministry experience, 15 being in Guildford Diocese in both lay and ordained capacities, and 6 as Dorking Area Dean to bring to my role as Associate Tutor of Missiology.
I have undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees in Biblical Studies, Theology, and Mission/Ministry from Crossroads Bible College, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, St. Mellitus College, and Asbury Theological Seminary with various emphasise in mission/ministry in urban, multi/inter/cross-cultural, and rural contexts across socio-economic classes.
I have taught Biblical Studies, Theology, and Servant Leadership at the secondary and undergraduate level with five years as Visiting Lecturer at Bujumbura Chrisitan University and delivering essays at the Bede Centre for Church Planting Theology at Cranmer Hall.
Revd Canon Neil Roberts
Canon Roberts is Area Dean of Guildford and has taught at St Martha’s College for four years.
After degrees in Theology and Education from King’s and Cambridge, Kent and Canterbury Fr Neil has served his priestly ministry in the dioceses of Southwark, Chichester, Derby and Guildford as a parish priest, Chaplain and RAF ATC Padre.
Before ordination, he taught for over twenty years and his research degree is in the Spirituality of Music. Fr Neil teaches Biblical studies, Doctrine, Spirituality and Liturgy.
Helen Roche
Elizabeth Rowlandson
Revd Ruth Sheldon
Ruth trained for ordained ministry at Trinity College, Bristol where she also completed an MTh in 2 Corinthians which has since become a Grove Booklet on the intersection of weakness and ministry in the letter.
She teaches on the New Testament at St Martha’s College. She is currently Associate Vicar at St Mary of Bethany, Woking, having also served her curacy in Guildford Diocese.
Ruth enjoys being active and spending time outdoors. She is married to Jonny and they have an overly demanding cat! At time of writing they are expecting their first child.
Revd Dr Steve Stewart
Professor Mark Whiting
Mark is Professor of Materials Ageing in the School of Engineering at the University of Surrey. He is a Baptist lay preacher with something of a psalm obsession. Mark is the editor of The Penitential Psalms: The Rise, Fall, and Future of the Seven Psalms (2025) and author of some shorter works on interpreting and celebrating the Psalms today.
He is married to the Rev Kate Whiting, Minister of QE Park Baptist Church—they live in Guildford and have three adult children. Mark enjoys growing cacti and playing strategy boardgames.
Professor Mark Whiting
Mark is Professor of Materials Ageing in the School of Engineering at the University of Surrey. He is a Baptist lay preacher with something of a psalm obsession. Mark is the editor of The Penitential Psalms: The Rise, Fall, and Future of the Seven Psalms (2025) and author of some shorter works on interpreting and celebrating the Psalms today.
He is married to the Rev Kate Whiting, Minister of QE Park Baptist Church—they live in Guildford and have three adult children. Mark enjoys growing cacti and playing strategy boardgames.
Chaplains
Revd Andy Wells
Hi there, my name is Andy and I’m hugely privileged to be a chaplain at St Martha’s College.
St Martha’s College has been my home for the past 3 years, whilst I have been training to be a minister. I am now a curate at All Saints Church in Guildford and a chaplain at Surrey University. I have been so fortunate in my training at the college, with the support of the tutors and the amazing knowledge of the lecturers, that I felt I wanted to give something back!
My role as a Chaplain to the students, is providing support, encouragement, pastoral care and just someone to talk to who will meet you where you are on your faith journey. I’m looking forward to meeting you.
Timothy Armstrong
Tim was ordained in 2019 and is the Vicar of Holy Trinity Westcott where he worships with his wife Jenny and their four young boys.
He is passionate about enabling systematic and biblical theology to be of living and breathing service to worshippers in their local church context. While doing his Masters at Durham, his dissertation focused on communicating the doctrine of sin in the contemporary context. He has a particular interest in historical theology and how it can speak afresh to the church today.
Prior to ordination he has a background in youth ministry and has had the privilege of seeing God at work in a wide range of contexts. When he is not in the parish or spending time with the family, he can normally be found running silly distances for fun.
Timothy Armstrong
Tim was ordained in 2019 and is the Vicar of Holy Trinity Westcott where he worships with his wife Jenny and their four young boys.
He is passionate about enabling systematic and biblical theology to be of living and breathing service to worshippers in their local church context. While doing his Masters at Durham, his dissertation focused on communicating the doctrine of sin in the contemporary context. He has a particular interest in historical theology and how it can speak afresh to the church today.
Prior to ordination he has a background in youth ministry and has had the privilege of seeing God at work in a wide range of contexts. When he is not in the parish or spending time with the family, he can normally be found running silly distances for fun.