The Board of Trustees are a representative body of men and women from across the NISCU areas. They bring different skills and experiences to the board, but are united by a passion that gives all children and young people across our NISCU areas the opportunity to hear about a God who cares for them.
A message from the chair September 2025
Hello NISCU Supporters,
I just wanted to introduce myself as the new chair of trustees. We are hugely grateful to Dave Grime who has stepped down as chair of trustees after 14 years of dedicated service and we thank God for his wisdom and faithfulness in this role. For more information about me, then please read my bio below.
Thank you for all you do to support NISCU, as volunteers, praying for the work, encouraging our workers and volunteers and for your ongoing financial support. We are so blessed to know that as the writer of Hebrews 6:19 says ‘We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure’.
Ruth Houston
Chair of Trustees
My name is Ruth, and I am an ex NISCU kid!!! This is one of the reasons I joined an area support committee and then the trustees. I know what a difference NISCU can make. In my professional capacity I used to be a secondary school headteacher, and I now work as a Church school inspector and for Carlisle diocese supporting local Church schools. I am married to Mark, who is a vicar in south Cumbria, and we have two grown up children and two dogs.
Ian Harvie
Trustee
Ian lives in Whitehaven with his wife Sheila. He is a retired industrial chemist. He attends Emmanuel Church Moor Row where he is a member of the leadership team.
Ian is a Niscu volunteer co-worker helping with lunch clubs at Whitehaven Academy.
Alastair Richards
Trustee
Alastair lives in Lancaster with his wife and two children and worships at St Tees Church, Lancaster.
In his work life he is an Accountant who has worked for a number of years in the charity sector and he is currently Chief Executive Officer at North West Cancer Research.
Simon Astil
Trustee
Simon lives between Cockermouth and Aspatria with his wife Diane. He is a Mechanical Engineer by profession working in and around West Cumbria. He attends mainly his local church in Gilcrux, where he is one of the Church Wardens, but is also involved in other forms of worship in and around the Aspatria area.
Simon has been involved with NISCU West Cumbria for over 30 years serving on the Support Group for many of these years.
Jez Bebbington
Trustee
Jez lives in Lancaster with his wife and daughters. After growing up in West Cumbria, Jez moved in 2011 to be part of planting City Church Lancaster, for which he now serves in the leadership team alongside preaching and leading worship.
Laura Watson
Trustee
My name is Laura and I live in the Eden valley. I have been involved with NISCU in different capacities over many years.
As part of my 20+ years of working in education I have seen the impact that NISCU has on pupils in my classroom and my own two children when they were at primary school. My son and daughter are now 16 & 18 and still talk about the work of NISCU they were a part of.
I currently work as the Deputy Director of Education for Carlisle Diocese and served on a NISCU area support group before moving into a trustee role.