Our team

Meet some of the team

Mervyn Thomas CMG, Founder President

Our Founder President needs little introduction. Mervyn founded CSW over 40 years ago and has been engaging parliamentarians, government ministers and church leaders ever since. 


Scot Bower, CEO

Scot has been a part of CSW for over eight years, and moved into his appointment as CEO in 2020. He is passionate about building on CSW’s 40-year legacy; listening to and being guided by our teams on the ground; and continuing to be a powerful ally for all who face injustice because of their religion or belief.   


Anna Lee Stangl, Head of Advocacy

Anna Lee is based in Washington, DC, is the joint Head of Advocacy and also leads the Latin America Team. She has been with CSW for over 20 years and led our EU Liaison office in Brussels for the first 11 of those. 

Jane Bave, Head of People and Culture

Jane is Head of People and Culture and leads the HR function at CSW.  She joined CSW in 2001, Jane qualified as a CIPD professional in 2012. Jane is also a qualified mediator at work. She is passionate about people, their development, welfare and mental health. 

Kiri Kankhwende, Press and Public Affairs Team Leader

Kiri leads the Public Affairs team which engages stakeholders in the media, UK, European Union and at the UN. She is a journalist, political analyst and public speaker whose work has been featured in international news outlets.

Anne Tester, Finance Director

Anne qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1998.  After working in various commercial companies, in 2008 she found her natural place in the charitable sector where she has remained.  Anne had 15 years’ experience in leading charity finance teams before joining CSW in the summer of 2023.

Dr Khataza Gondwe, Head of Advocacy

Khataza is a leading freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) advocate with over 20 years of expertise working on FoRB. She is currently a member of the Africa Advisory Council of the African Vision Working Group of the International Religious Freedom or Belief (IRFBA), and the IRFBA Council of Experts. 

Audrey Skervin, Head of Fundraising

Audrey leads the Fundraising team, which inspires individuals and funders to make donations to help bring about a world free from religious persecution. She has been working with charities for 15 years and is passionate about using her skills to enable people to lead free and full lives.

Neil Corner, Partnerships Manager

Neil became inspired by freedom of religion or belief in 2005 when he first encountered the suffering of religious minorities in India.

Now based in the Cotswolds, he passionately believes the Church must continue to stand with those individuals who are most vulnerable.

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#2 CSW manifesto

We believe no one should suffer discrimination, harassment or persecution because of their beliefs