On behalf of the Board of Investment and Finance, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr William Neil as General Manager of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, commencing 5 January 2026.
Will has been appointed to this role on a permanent basis and will work closely with, and report to, the Board of Investment and Finance (BIF), supporting its responsibilities to the Church and the Presbyterian Church of Victoria Trusts Corporation.
The purpose of the General Manager’s role is to strengthen the Church’s organisational and governance capacity and to support the BIF in its responsibilities for prudent financial stewardship, effective governance, and the faithful management of the Church’s assets and resources. These responsibilities are exercised in service of the mission of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, and in support of congregations, presbyteries, and associated ministries of the Church.
Will is a Chartered Accountant and brings to this role extensive experience in senior leadership across finance, governance, risk, and property, in Christian schools and other organisations that exist to support Christian ministry. He came to faith in the Presbyterian Church as a teenager and he and his English wife, Isabelle, and their four children, are actively involved in One Church, a Church of Christ in Blackburn. We are confident that Will’s skills, experience, and collaborative leadership style will be a significant asset to the Church moving forward.
The BIF also wishes to acknowledge, with sincere thanks, the faithful service of Mr Michael Ellison, who will soon conclude his tenure after 22 years as General Manager following a period of long service leave. Michael has served the Church with dedication and diligence, and we are grateful for his many years of contribution to the work of the Board of Investment and Finance, the Trusts Corporation and the wider Church. We are grateful that he has made himself available to the Board going forward in an Executive Consultant capacity.
The BIF remains mindful of its responsibility to act as steward on behalf of the whole Church and we believe this appointment will further strengthen our capacity to discharge that responsibility well.
Please join us in welcoming Will to this role and in praying for him and his family as he commences this work, that God would grant wisdom, humility, and grace as he serves Christ and His Church.
John Walter
Chair, Board of Investment and Finance