CENTRAL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager
Ade Johnson is the Business Development Manager at Coventry Central Hall, bringing over three years of professional experience in community-based projects and business development. Ade began as Bookings and Events Manager in August 2021, soon after graduating with a distinction in MSc Business Project Management from Coventry University. Over time, he has held key roles, including City of Culture Legacy Project Manager.
His work focuses on fostering meaningful partnerships and driving community sustainability, grounded in the belief that true sustainability arises from harnessing the connectivity and relational power between businesses, charities, faith institutions, universities, and individuals. Ade's approach is deeply rooted in integrating faith, community, and commercial activities to create long-term impact.
Beyond his work at Coventry Central Hall, Ade is involved in sociological research at the University of Sheffield. He serves on the Warwick Arts Centre's Advisory Board and is part of Citizens UK's MaRO (Migrant & Refugee Organising) National Leadership Team, overseeing the Strategy for Pathway to Citizenship. Additionally, Ade represents the Birmingham Methodist District at the Methodist Conference (2024/25 and 2025/26).
During his free time, Ade enjoys writing poems and storytelling, with his poem, "On the Shoulders of Giants I Stand," being featured in an NIHR article.
Job Titles:
- Administration & Finance Executive
Karen was educated in HK and enjoyed a 23-year career in business at PwC with her last position as Finance Manager (Operations). She held part-time teaching roles, including Montessori teacher, while volunteering at a community center and church. Karen is the Administration and Finance Executive at Coventry Central Hall, where she continues her professional career, contributing to the vibrant community and fostering meaningful connections.
Stephen has offered ministry in Britain as detached youth worker, pastoral worker and Methodist Minister. He has worked in Bromsgrove, Consett, Hull, Bradford, Birmingham (including chaplaincy at the NEC Group) and is currently in Coventry. For several years, Stephen offered industrial chaplaincy alongside his work with church congregations. He helped establish a regional anti-trafficking network to work against exploitation and abuse and he remains committed to seeing people's potential fulfilled inside and beyond the church, especially amongst those who are vulnerable or living in challenging circumstances.
Stephen says that he believes prayer, reflective and focused on God, is at the heart of his most effective ministry though he is not always as attentive to this as he would like to be.He goes on to say, "I believe it is not only in strengths that ministry is realised, but also in weaknesses, and I have plenty of those! At the heart of my vocation is Christ who commanded us: Love God and Love your neighbour as yourself. In relation to this, I find myself concerned with the causes of distress in our communities. How can we be so present in this world that generosity, tenderness, forgiveness and love are fully expressed in global, national, regional and local contexts? I feel what I might call a "prophetic energy" in relation to this."
Stephen's first degree was in Psychology (BSc), he met his wife at the Taizé community where they were both volunteers. They have two grown up children. He studied theology at the Queens Foundation and has researched early Protestant Mission amongst native American people. He speaks some French and enjoys cycling and walking.