Our media team deals with all press and media enquiries. To contact the press team, please email media.enquiries@biblesociety.org.uk or speak to one of our press officers:

Richard Franklin – Senior Press Officer
richard.franklin@biblesociety.org.uk
T: 01793 418 223
M: 07545 924 914

Ben Whitnall – Head of Media
ben.whitnall@biblesociety.org.uk
T: 01793 418 197
M: 07917 433 624

We have a wide range of experts available to comment and contribute on issues ranging from the impact of the Bible globally to its place in contemporary culture, especially education, politics, the arts and the media.

To arrange interviews or for comments, please contact the press team.

 

Paul Woolley – Executive Director of Charity 

Paul Woolley

Paul Woolley is Executive Director of Charity at Bible Society. He was founding Director of Theos, the public theology think tank, between 2005 and 2010. In addition to previously working as a Parliamentary Researcher and directing a political unit, he has had extensive public affairs and media experience.  

Paul is happy to talk about:

  • All things Bible and Bible Society
  • The Bible and the public space

 

 

Ann Holt OBE – Director of External Relations 
Ann Holt

Ann has spent all her working life involved with education, including the Department for Education and Skills. Throughout all this time she has been a governor of several schools, primary, secondary and nursery and she has twice been chair of governors. She has been a national trainer and consultant to Local Education Authorities, the DCSF, and independent schools. Adamson Books have published her book Joined-up Governance, co-authored with Jane Martin.

Ann is Director of External Relations at Bible Society and can speak on:

  • Education
  • Theology
  • Church

 

Derek Hill – Director of Publishing Services

Derek is Director of Publishing Services and is a global specialist in Bible production and publishing. He is Chairman of the English Language Publishing Group of Bible Societies worldwide.

Derek is happy to talk about: 

  • Bible printing/production - globally and in China in particular
  • Bible publishing

 

Matthew van Duyvenbode – Head of Advocacy
Matthew van Duyvenbode

Matthew's background is in education and volunteer management within the charity sector. In his early career, Matthew specialised in using new media and the arts as a tool for education, and developed a groundbreaking peer-leadership programme for young people.  More recently, he co-authored a wide-ranging study into the spirituality and worldview of young British Catholics.

Matthew specialises in examining the interface between faith issues and contemporary culture, and speaks and trains on these themes nationally and internationally. He holds a degree in Theology from Durham University, is a regular contributor to a number of publications, and sits on a variety of faith-based charity advisory groups and boards of trustees.

Matthew is Head of Advocacy at Bible Society and is happy to talk about:

  • Popular Culture
  • The Bible and the arts
  • Young people
  • Catholic perspectives on the Bible

 

David Smith – International Programme Manager 
David Smith

David leads our work in over seventy countries. Previously, he was International Political Advocacy Officer for Bible Society, and worked with British and international Parliamentarians to promote the place of the Bible in the politics. In previous roles before joining Bible Society, he mobilised support for an International Development NGO and ran a peace-building programme in Northern Ireland.

David is happy to talk about:

  • Bible Society’s work overseas
  • The Bible in politics

 

Ben Whitnall – Head of Media 
Ben Whitnall

Ben has a background in digital media and marketing. He worked for five years at a communications agency where clients included the White House and Number 10. Ben is responsible for Bible Society's media engagement.  

Ben is happy to talk about:

  • The Bible and social media
  • The Bible and popular culture

 

Luke Walton – Creative Consultant
Luke Walton

Luke is in the business of translating the Bible – not into a new language but into the 'languages' of our culture: film, theatre, fine art, installations, sculpture. He works to encourage, educate, and engage artists with the Bible, seeking to change some misconceptions about the Bible along the way.

Luke is part of the Advocacy team working in England and Wales and is happy to talk about: 

  • The Bible and film
  • Arts and the Bible

 

 

For our latest news and comment, keep an eye on the news section

The Bible Style guide

Got questions about the Bible? The Bible Style Guide is a great resource to help journalists and broadcasters address key biblical questions.

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Bible Society latest news

It's a wrap. The Pitch winner directs his first film
It's a wrap. The Pitch winner directs his first film The Pitch film competition winner Simon Cookson, from Manchester, has successfully directed his first film. He's spent the last four days shooting The Light, a film set in 1950's America.
24-hour prayer for G8 Summit
24-hour prayer for G8 Summit As world leaders continue their discussions about the future of Syria, and trade and taxation, at the G8 summit in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland; they’re being given 24-hour prayer support by the Northern Ireland Bible Society – which is providing resources for the event.
Back in time – Jazz club gets 50’s makeover for Bible based film shoot
Back in time – Jazz club gets 50’s makeover for Bible based film shoot It’s back to the 50’s for a jazz club in Manchester today, as it becomes the latest location for a film shoot based on a Bible story. Taking Matt and Phreds, in the city’s Tibb Street, back six decades is the latest challenge for Director Simon Cookson, winner of The Pitch film competition, as he shoots a film set in the McCarthy era in 1950’s America.
Bible based film is being shot in Manchester replicating 1950s America
Bible based film is being shot in Manchester replicating 1950s America The Pitch film director Simon Cookson has worked hard all weekend directing his short film ‘The Light’. Yesterday’s shoot in City Library Manchester worked well for a 1950s American police station whereas today the crew are filming in a private home in Didsbury on the outskirts of Manchester.
Simon Cookson - Pitch film director is rising to the Challenge
Simon Cookson - Pitch film director is rising to the Challenge The Pitch filming crew and cast has worked long hours over the weekend as shooting for ‘The Light’ commenced in Lancashire on Saturday. The challenge for first time director Simon Cookson has been to replicate 1950s America in his film set in the Mc Carthy era.

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Christian Resources Exhibitions Christian Resources Exhibitions (CRE) holds three shows a year across the UK, one large international show and two smaller regional shows, which are attended by organisations serving the Christian world.