The Clergy Retirement Dignity and Fairness Review was commissioned by the Archbishops’ Council following a request from General Synod in July 2025, calling for an independent review of what clergy and their dependants need to prepare for and experience retirement with dignity and fairness.
The Review runs alongside planned improvements to clergy pensions for service after 2011.
Why the Review was established
Synod’s motion (GS 2406) raised concerns about whether current provision supports a secure and dignified retirement for clergy. In response, the Archbishops’ Council has commissioned an independent Review Group – chaired by Dr Andrew Sentance and including clergy, lay members, and pensions and economic experts – to take a comprehensive look at retirement provision across the Church.
What the Review aims to do
The Review is considering:
- what clergy and their households need for a dignified, fair and financially secure retirement;
- how effectively current arrangements meet those needs;
- current provision around retirement housing,
- pension provision, transitional support, and wider financial and pastoral factors;
- whether particular groups of clergy face disproportionate disadvantage.
The work is also informed by theological reflection.
Terms of Reference
The full Terms of Reference can be read here.
How the Review is gathering insights
Background work is already underway, looking at the wider charitable and faith‑based pensions landscape, affordability, and theological perspectives.
A Call for Evidence is open from 1st-31st May 2026, and contributions are invited from:
- individuals with lived experience of clergy retirement,
- organisations and networks representing retired clergy,
- dioceses and other Church bodies.
The Call for Evidence takes the form of an online questionnaire, which can be accessed here.
The Review Group is also supported by a Stakeholder Consultation Forum, including representatives of the Retired Clergy Association, clergy in retirement housing, CEECA, and the Clergy Pension Action Group.
Membership of the Review Group
| Dr Andrew Sentance, CBE (Chair) | Independent business economist, holding senior positions at the CBI, London Business School, British Airways, PwC and Warwick Business School. Also a former member of the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (2006-11). |
| Revd Aneal Appadoo | Aneal is the Vicar of St Luke, Reigate, in the Diocese of Southwark. He is also a member of the General Synod and the Ministry Development Board’s Advisory Group for the Terms and Wellbeing of Ministers (AGTAWM). |
| Dame Kate Barker | Church Commissioner, Chair of the Universities Superannuation Scheme, and also housing economist. |
| Mark Chapman | Mark is former Partner & Head of Risk at Longview Partners LLP, and is now studying for an MA in Canon Law. He is a trustee of CPAS, the son of a member of the clergy, and has been involved with the Clergy Pension Action Group, having supported the work bringing the recent clergy pension motion to the General Synod |
| The Venerable Antony MacRow-Wood | Chartered Accountant, recently retired Archdeacon and Diocesan Finance Director with the long standing interest in clergy financial wellbeing, a founder member (and currently director) of Churches Mutual Credit Union and a Trustee of Clergy Support Trust. |
| Helen Platts | Helen has extensive senior experience in the public and charitable sectors. She has recently retired as Diocesan Secretary for Manchester Diocese, a post she held for seven years. |
| The Venerable Elizabeth Snowden | Retired Archdeacon, who currently serves as Retired Clergy Officer for the Huddersfield Episcopal Area, Diocese of Leeds and who also serves on the Council of the Retired Clergy Association. |
| Sir Steve Webb | Steve is a partner at pension consultants LCP. He worked for the Institute for Fiscal Studies and taught at Bath University before being elected to Parliament in 1997. Between 2010 and 2015, Steve was the Pensions Minister in the Department for Work and Pensions. |
| John Ball (Participant Observer) | In addition to serving as Chief Executive of the Church of England Pensions Board, John is a member of the Pensions UK Policy Board, and serves on the UK Government’s Investor Taskforce on climate transition finance in emerging and developing economies. |
Timeline
- July 2025: Review commissioned by General Synod
- 2025–2026: Review Group established; evidence gathering begins
- Spring 2026: Call for Evidence launched
- July 2026: Progress Report to General Synod
- February 2027: Final Report to General Synod
Updates on progress
- The Review Group met on 22nd April. This press release, issued following the meeting, provides an update on progress.
- The Call for Evidence went live on 1st May. This press release announces the launch.