As part of our ongoing determination to make the SNU, AFC and other arms of the Union fit for the future and best meeting members and visitors' needs, we continue to employ experienced professionals in exciting, forward-thinking new roles. In this article, we meet Dean Pascall, who recently joined the Arthur Findlay College as Strategy Manager. 

In his post, Dean will be analysing the college and Union's current operations, and implementing new plans and ideas to ensure members, visitors, students, staff and all within the movement of Spiritualism are being as best served by the college (and Union as a whole) as possible.

A daunting prospect, or exciting challenge?

"I now seem to look at challenges as opportunities for success," Dean explains, as he heads into what is only his seventh week in the role.

"I feel there is a real opportunity to develop and further improve our offering to the many students who pass through our doors at the AFC.

"I also see the opportunities for development and growth in many areas within the organisation to support its future sustainability."

Being the world's foremost college for the advancement of Spiritualism and Psychic Sciences, coupled with its considerable needs and demands as a 19th Century Estate, the Arthur Findlay College is a fairly unique hybrid of stately home, heritage site and educational establishment. No to mention its accomodation facilities, shop, museum and other essential functions.

Dean explained how his extensive background and career experience made him a natural fit for taking on a role which had to factor in so many different elements and operations.

"When I saw this position, it felt such a natural fit, with the remit ticking all my boxes.

"I have enjoyed a full career in the hospitality and charity sectors. From time spent in the culinary world, including general management of a number of five, four and three star hotels.

"I also spent time on the Isle of Wight developing tourism for the island, as well as the leadership and development of a portfolio of English Heritage historic properties."

And whilst this new role may be Dean's first experience working direclty with the SNU and Spiritualism, he has plenty of experience driving forward engagement and promotion of other religious bodies.

"When I saw this position, it felt such a natural fit, with the remit ticking all my boxes."

"For nearly 9 years, I worked and embraced a spiritual environment with 10 benedictine monks, sensitively developing their 200-acre Abbey and estate, to help promote and share their monastic life and history."

Dean's first weeks in the role have already been incredibly busy and productive, engaging fully with staff and team members of both the college and the Union's wider operations as a whole.

"I am settling in really well.

"I feel very lucky working with such a committed team, and colleagues within the AFC and Union."

But what of the Dean outside of strategy, work and career?

"I enjoy my down time travelling and seeing different cultures, cooking, reading and have even dabbled with sailing.

"I also enjoy seeing my now two grown-up sons, who both live in London... though that can be expensive!"

We are certain you will all join us in welcoming Dean into his new role, and we all look forward to the positive and exciting ideas and change he will bring to the AFC and SNU over the coming weeks, months and beyond!