The Ascension Trust (Scotland) charity – which runs the Street, Rail, School and Response Pastor services throughout Scotland – is pleased to announce that its new Chief Executive Officer is Greenock-businessman, Chris Jewell.

Chris has been a Street Pastor himself for nearly 10 years, and is and has been a Director/Trustee of various charities as well as having a long and well established financial and marketing background.

Commenting on the appointment, Shaw Anderson, Chairman of Ascension Trust (Scotland), said:

“Chris comes with very strong leadership skills, both in the secular and Christian world, and the Trust is glad to have him at the helm.

“There are some 20 Street Pastor groups already operating in Scotland, plus a number of Rail Pastor and School Pastor initiatives and we look forward to future growth in these services.

“Regrettably there can be no patrols in the current COVID-19 situation but we do look forward to them continuing as soon as the time is right.”

Chris Jewell

Chris Jewell, whose new role will be based in Greenock in Inverclyde, said:

“I am honoured and delighted to be offered this role and look forward to encouraging and developing all we do.”

Street Pastors are trained volunteers from local churches who care about their community. They patrol in teams of men and women, usually from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. on a Friday and Saturday night, to care for, listen to and help people who are out on the streets.

Shaw added:

“The Trust would also like to pay tribute at this time to our outgoing CEO Sandy Scrimgeour and his wife Pat, who are both retiring from the Trust and we wish them long and happy retirements.  Both have been great servants of the charity.”

For more information on The Ascension Trust, click here.