Methodist Heritage Officer

Owen Roberts was appointed as Methodist Heritage Officer in July 2016.

His role is to coordinate and support the development of Methodism's heritage sites and archives, and to help them to interpret and promote their collections to support the mission of the Methodist Church.

Owen travels extensively to visit Methodist heritage sites and collections, and to represent 'Methodist Heritage' in the heritage and tourism sectors. He is involved in developing new projects to promote Methodist Heritage.

In September 2015, the Methodist Church formed the Engagement Team within the Mission & Advocacy Cluster of the Connexional Team by bringing together the Heritage, Marketing and Fundraising Officers. Jo Hibbard, Heritage Officer since 2009, became the Director of this new team.    

Owen previously worked at the Heritage Lottery Fund, but started his career in community outreach in the voluntary sector, and has managed programmes and projects in the NHS and the Arts & Culture sector. He is a member of the Chapels Society and has a lifelong interest in religious heritage. 

Owen is actively involved in his local Baptist church, but has spent much of his life in Methodist churches; he has an ecumenical family background in Methodism and the Church of England.