Church Army Appoints New Director to Marylebone Project

Church Army, a society of evangelist within the Anglican Communion, has appointed a new director for its Marylebone Project - a partnership between Church Army and the Portman House Trust empowering women into independent living.

Carol London Baptiste, a housing professional dedicated to providing services for homeless people, has been appointed as Church Army's new director for the project.

Baptiste will commence her new role in September, and will be responsible for leading the Marylebone Project and developing provision of services.

Commenting on her appointment Baptiste said, "I knew that my prayers had been answered. I have been ready to take the next step in my personal development for a while and knew that I was more than capable to carry out the role.

"When I was offered the post I was very excited about the prospect of working with Church Army. I look forward to starting my new appointment and I hope to develop social and business enterprises and introduce new initiatives that I have experienced in my previous organisation."

Baptiste comes to Church Army's Marylebone project with an impressive record. She spent the last five years managing Mare Street Hostel in Hackney where she took the hostel through a large decanting programme and relocation of site, while the hostel experienced a major refurbishment.

Most recently Baptiste managed a small hostel, two ex-offender schemes and a semi-independent project. She has also worked with a number of organisations responsible for the development of services in London, Leicester, and Milton Keynes.

In addition, she has worked with women who are sex workers, who have dependencies, and who have mental health issues.

Church Army said it had full faith in her being able to understand the complexities of a project like Marylebone.

The Chief Executive of Church Army, Mark Russell welcomed Baptiste to her new post: "I am delighted to have such an enthusiastic, experienced director joining the Marylebone project. The experience she brings can only be an asset to the development of the project.

"The project has come along way in the last few years and we have to recognise the contributions of Edwin Bates who has lead the project to its current position. We are so grateful to Edwin and wish him God's blessing as he moves to his new post within Church Army".