Executive Director

James Poole

James is passionate about making the Bible available to everyone and seeing churches grow strong in God’s word.

James says: ‘I love how the Bible continually speaks into my life. It is so relevant to life here and now. That could only be the case if it is God speaking, which is why it is so important that all people are able to engage with what God is saying through the Bible in their language.’

Having left a previous career as a computer programmer in order to go to Bible college, James has served as an Associate Vicar at a church in the UK and in training church leaders in Kenya.

Today he leads Wycliffe, helping to define strategy and direction, and building strong partnerships which enable the work. He is a popular conference speaker, and his role takes him around the world and across the UK and Ireland. James and his wife live in Oxford, where they are members of a mission-minded city centre church.

Director for People

Ann Saunders

Ann is passionate about providing the professional and pastoral support that people working in Bible translation need so they can do their best work.

Ann says: ‘I love working with the People team, serving those working in the ministry of Bible translation so they can do their best work in this key task.’

Before joining Wycliffe in 2018, Ann was the Human Resources director of an international development consultancy. Ann also has Human Resources (HR) experience working in a start-up employment law and HR consultancy, the London Stock Exchange, and a large electronics design and manufacturing company.

Ann is a trustee for MAF UK and for Sutton Community Works. She is married to Tim, who is the minister of a church in Sutton. Ann and Tim have three adult daughters.

Director for Supporters

Robin Peake

Robin is passionate about seeing people’s generosity used to increase the impact of mission around the world.

Robin says: ‘I love giving Wycliffe’s wonderful supporters joyful giving experiences so they can get a glimpse of the huge difference their generosity is making.’

Before joining Wycliffe in 2020, Robin worked for Home for Good, Innovista and UCCF. Robin is also a trustee for a grant-giving trust and a Christian housing charity he founded. He serves on the leadership team of a church plant in Oxford that he and his family are part of.

Director of Finance and Operations

Claire Hollis

Claire is passionate about stewarding the resources God has given Wycliffe with professionalism and integrity.

Claire says: ‘I love finding simple solutions to complex situations so we can better support the work of Bible translation teams around the world.’

After qualifying as a chartered management accountant and attending Bible college, Claire worked for several commercial firms and charities before joining Wycliffe in 2002. 

Claire spent 16 years working in Kenya. There she merged her heart for mission with her accounting skills by overseeing the finances of Bible translation work across sub-Saharan Africa. Claire returned to the UK in 2019 to take up her current role and she belongs to a community church in Wallingford.

Director for Churches

Neil Graham

Neil is passionate about equipping churches across the UK and Ireland to be part of making the Bible available to everyone.

Neil says: ‘World mission happens through the Church. Serving the Church – both here and overseas – is central to all that Wycliffe does and I love being part of all that God is doing through his Church to reach more people for Jesus.’

Mission has been central to Neil’s life and work for many years. Previously he lived in the Middle East for six years, where he served as a field team leader for another mission agency. After Neil and his family returned to the UK, Neil worked in church engagement for Christian mission charities before he joined Wycliffe in 2019. Neil is also a trustee for PartnerAid, an international development charity.

Neil is originally from Scotland and is married to Charlotte. They have three young children, and they belong to a church in High Wycombe.

Director for International Partnerships

Peter Miller*

Peter is passionate about walking in true partnership (Amos 3:3) with Bible translation teams around the world.

Peter says: ‘I love working to develop partnerships that provide the practical and spiritual support that local translation teams need to do what God has called them to do – to translate the Bible for their people.’

Before joining Wycliffe, Peter was an army officer, serving in several countries including Afghanistan. Following his military service, Peter worked for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Foreign Office. Peter, his wife, and their children are members of a thriving church in southern England.

*Peter’s name has been changed to protect his work with Wycliffe’s partners in parts of the world that are hostile to the gospel.

Wycliffe Board Chair

David Steinegger

David is passionate about the transformational power of the Bible in enabling people to flourish and to find Jesus, our living Saviour.

David says: ‘In my many roles over the last decade, one of my greatest joys and privileges has been to serve on the Board of Wycliffe, and to see the transforming power and impact of the word of God when it is made available to people in their own languages.’

Alongside chairing the Wycliffe Board, David is involved in a number of business start-ups in Europe and the UK, mentors younger people, and is a director of a private foundation investing in innovative water and sanitation projects in Africa and Southeast Asia. David is married with three children, and he and his wife are on the leadership team of Colkins Mill Church, Mayfield, East Sussex.

Board Member

Pastor Folajimi Ayo Adedoyin

Ayo is passionate about playing a part in communicating to all people the promises and power that come through the Bible.

Ayo says: ‘The word of God framed everything we see today. It is a privilege to play a part in introducing God’s word to everyone in their own language.’

Ayo Adedoyin is a society development consultant with a passion for social justice. He has been part of the leadership team of Jesus House, a Redeemed Christian Church of God church in London, for two decades. 

Ayo is also the chief executive officer of an international development human rights and social justice charity, which mobilises African diaspora communities in the UK to advocate against insecurity and injustice across sub-Saharan Africa. Ayo also consults for a wide array of enterprises across the private, public and charity sectors internationally. Ayo is married to Lola and together they have two young adult children.

Wycliffe Board Vice-Chair

Jane Showell–Rogers

Jane is passionate about seeing the change that comes to communities when people have the Bible in their language. 

Jane says: ‘Everybody needs God’s word in their own language, so that they can hear what God has to say to them. It is exciting to see new translations – which would never have existed without Wycliffe – impacting lives around the world.’

As well as serving with Wycliffe, Jane and her husband, Gordon, have had extensive involvement with different Christian organisations. They served with IFES in Austria and led Friends International for its first 11 years. 

Jane has also taught in adult education, worked in events coordination, done team-building based on psychometric profiling and been a magistrate for over 20 years. She is chair of the Gender and Religious Freedom (GRF) network, and is one of the founding trustees of Wheatley Community Church. Jane and Gordon have two married children and five grandsons.