Richard Cunningham is to step down after 20 years as national director of the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF).Â
“It has been an immense privilege to guide UCCF over these past 20 years, and I’m so grateful to staff and supporters without whom our CUs wouldn’t be adequately resourced,” he said in an announcement.
“The witness of university CUs – students reaching students for Christ – is as vital today because it has ever been and deserves wide support from across the church.”
The announcement follows a difficult 15 months for UCCF during which an independent investigation was carried out into concerns about its employment policies and practices. Some of the complaints were upheld, prompting an apology from UCCF.Â
“I cannot pretend that this 12 months has not put an enormous strain on me and my family and, after prayerful reflection, I’m making this my last academic 12 months at UCCF,” said Cunningham.
“Announcing my departure this early gives the Trustees sufficient time to discover and appoint a latest CEO to be in place before August. Please join me in praying for the Trustees as they start this process.”
UCCF has paid tribute to the expansion of the organisation under his leadership, with field staff increasing by 42% and over 100 CU event weeks going down on campuses every year.Â
Simon Day, Chair of the UCCF Trustees, said: “The Trustees, staff and CUs thank God for blessing the work amongst students through Richard and under his leadership.
“His vision and commitment to students has led to a wealth of recent initiatives and resources prior to now twenty years. We are profoundly grateful to Richard for all that he has given, and we wish him well in whatever God calls him to next.
“Advertising for his successor starts immediately, as we seek to create the most important pool of possible applicants. We ask for the prayers of all CUs, partner churches and supporters as we earnestly seek God’s person to develop into the brand new CEO.”
