Diocesan Chief Executive Nigel Spraggins

Nigel is responsible for delivering the mission and ministry strategy of the diocese.  He oversees the implementation of diocesan policies, administration and support and applies the strategic steer for diocesan business.

As a member of the Bishop's Staff he leads a team of eight Departmental Directors: Care of Churches, Communications, Development, Education, Finance, Parish Funding, Property (see their separate sections).  Nigel is especially concerned to maintain good collaborative links with all deanery and parish leaders as well as other local dioceses and secular partners.

Nigel Spraggins was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where his parents were missionaries. After returning to England he spent most of his childhood in London and Essex, where his father was an Assemblies of God pastor in a pioneer mission role. Nigel graduated from Bath University with a BSc(Hons) degree in Sociology and Social Work. He also gained his social work qualifications and went on to work for Dorset Social Services with the elderly, mentally infirm. From this post he went to work in Somerset with a children and family team, living in the community he worked with.

His first move into the business sector was as a personnel manager for Clarks Shoes in Bridgwater, transferring into operations and being responsible for managing production within the shoe factory. From there he went on to run a printing company in Glastonbury and then to be general manager of Goldenfry Foods in Wetherby, Yorkshire.

His first experience of working for a Christian organisation was as the Commercial Director for Traidcraft which he took up in 1997. He was responsible for overseeing how the producers in the developing world were able to get all the products into the company’s Gateshead warehouse. He visited many African and Asian countries and said the experience had strengthened his strong affinity with Africa. He moved to his current post as Diocesan Secretary for the Diocese of Manchester in 2001, after Traidcraft and its sister charity re-merged, shedding posts.

Nigel took up the post of Chief Executive in Southwell & Nottingham after spending five years as Diocesan Secretary for the Diocese of Manchester where he strengthened collaboration across different sections of the diocesan administration and was involved in key national initiatives including Back to Church Sunday and the Halloween Choice Campaign.