Spurgeon's College Principal announcement 

The Revd Professor Philip McCormack MBE, currently a senior chaplain in the British Army, will be the next Principal of Spurgeon's College

He succeeds the Revd Dr Roger Standing and is due to start on 01 September 2017, the college governors announced in a statement.

The statement continued:

Philip is currently a senior chaplain in the British Army and is the Assistant Chaplain General for the Army Recruiting & Training Division. He is responsible for the delivery of pastoral care and spiritual support across the Army’s Phase 1 & 2 Training Establishments, the delivery of the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department policy on recruiting and the through-life training and education of Army Chaplains.

Previously he was the Army’s academic lead on ethics nationally and internationally and the Deputy Principal / Chief Instructor at the Armed Forces’ Chaplaincy College.

A widely-published author and speaker, notably in ethics, Philip served with distinction as Senior Chaplain for the British Task Force, Helmand Province Afghanistan. He has extensive experience of leadership, teambuilding, and strategic and organizational development.

An accredited Baptist Union of Great Britain Baptist minister, Philip holds PhDs from The Queen’s University of Belfast in New Testament and Cranfield University in Philosophy and Strategic Studies. He has a Master of Theology Degree (Distinction) from Cardiff University, a Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Queen’s Belfast and a Diploma in Theological and Practical Studies. Philip is a Visiting Professor of Practical Ethics, in the Institute of Health and Society, the University of Worcester.

Philip is married to Karen and they have one son.

Philip said, ‘I am humbled and thrilled to be appointed as the next Principal of Spurgeon’s College.

'I look forward to working with an outstanding College team whose enthusiasm for the life, work and ministry of the College is inspiring. Working together with our national Baptist Church family, the wider Christian community in London and internationally, I am convinced that Spurgeon’s reputation as a world-class leader in preparing Christians for service in the Kingdom of God will continue to flourish and expand.'

The Revd David Kerrigan, Chair of the College Council, said, ‘I am delighted that Philip has been appointed Principal elect of Spurgeon’s. He brings to the post significant experience of senior leadership.

'We found his vision for the future of the College compelling and look forward with anticipation to working with him.'

Sarah King, Chair of Governors, said, ‘'We are delighted to appoint Philip McCormack as the next Principal of Spurgeon’s College.

'He is a gifted leader and a clear strategic thinker with an exciting vision for the future of the College as it seeks to support the Baptist movement, both locally and nationally, and works ecumenically to equip churches, especially those with black and minority ethnic and Pentecostal identities, in London and the South East.

'As a Board, we look forward to working with him.’