The Revd Canon Miles Baker
Diocesan Director of Ministry
Miles was ordained in 2002 and has twice served as an incumbent, first in Torquay and more recently, in Coventry. He also served as Director of Mission in Peterborough Diocese where he introduced Growth Action Planning.
Miles loves spending time with his wife and two daughters and enjoys running, walking and audible books. In particular, with a degree in history, he likes reading crime novels set in Tudor England… and moving to Twickenham can only intensify his love for rugby, a game he was re-introduced to whilst living in Northampton.
Having moved from his previous role as Director of Ministry in the Kensington Area, Miles is delighted to serve now as Diocesan Director of Ministry. He has a passion for seeing people respond to God’s calling on their lives and seeing the kingdom move forward through their released ministries.
The Revd Sarah Archer
Edmonton Area Director of Ministry
Diocesan Lead for CMD
Ordained deacon in Southwark in 2000, the Revd Sarah Archer served most of her stipendiary ministry in parishes in London. She has been a Priest Vicar at Westminster Abbey since 2008, and during her self-supporting ministry was licensed to Bath Abbey.
Sarah began her medical career in London, and trained for General Practice in Cornwall. She later developed a special interest in Homeless Healthcare and Sexual Health, and during the pandemic joined the Covid Clinical Assessment Service for NHS 111.
Sarah grew up in landlocked North West London, but is never happier than when on a boat. She loves hiking, and in 2017 walked the Camino Frances: and then gained further rich experience of international community during two years at Lee Abbey Devon. Being a Training Incumbent and Area Director of Ordinands has given her the great privilege of walking with people on their vocational journeys and helping them to grow. She is glad and grateful to continue and extend this ministry in her new role.
The Revd Preb Irena Edgcumbe
Stepney Area Director of Ministry
Diocesan Lead for lay ministry (Inc LLM)
Irena has been Area Director of Training and Development in Stepney since 2012. Irena served her curacy at St Peter de Beauvoir Town, then served as Chaplain at Raine’s Foundation School in Bethnal Green and as Assistant Minister at St Paul Bow Common. In 2008, she became Vicar of St Anne with St Columba in Hoxton, with additional responsibility for lay training in the Area. Irena read theology at Oxford as her first degree and then went to work for SCM Press; rather more recently, she acquired an MA in Adult Learning and Professional Development from UCL. She is a Prebendary of St Paul’s Cathedral.
Irena loves to encourage and enable people to learn, grow, develop and find confidence in their gifts and calling, and in their faith. Unlike some her colleagues, Irena is not a card-carrying supporter of any sport, but she does enjoy sailing and cycling, in a gentle sort of way, and singing.
The Revd Dr Cara Lovell
Kensington Area Director of Ministry
Diocesan Lead for IME2 (Curacy Training)
The Revd Dr Cara Lovell is Director of Ministry for Kensington Area and holds the London-wide portfolio for curate training through the IME2 programme. She took up this role in June 2023, having previously served for five years as a Lecturer and Tutor at St Mellitus College. There, she taught practical theology and ministry to ordinands and independent students on the BA and MA programmes. As a Formation Tutor, she also supported the formation of ordinands and youth ministry students.
Cara completed a Doctorate in Theology and Ministry at Durham University in 2025. Her research focused on candidates’ experience of the vocational discernment process for ordained ministry, and she has published several journal articles on vocation and calling. Her work explores themes including the unexpected nature of calling, the distinction between choosing a career and discerning a vocation, and the respective roles of the individual and the Church in discerning God’s call.
Prior to training for ordination, Cara worked for fourteen years in the NHS as an Occupational Therapist specialising in supporting those living with the practical and emotional impact of chronic pain.
In her free time, Cara enjoys cycling, attending a Pilates class, and visiting museums and historic properties, as well as spending time with her family.
The Revd Dr Rebecca Aechtner
Interim Two Cities Area Director of Ministry
The Revd Sarah Patten
Willesden Area Director of Ministry
Diocesan Lead for Clergy Wellbeing
Sarah began her ministry journey while working as a learning and development consultant in the banking sector and worshipping at St Mary’s Bryanston Square. She trained as a Two Cities ordinand and later served her curacy in Willesden. She went on to lead a large church in New Zealand for 11 years, where she also served on the Bishop’s Council.
Returning to the UK, Sarah became the Principal for Wellbeing and Ministerial Development in the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham. Her portfolio included oversight of clergy and LLM learning and development, MDRs, strategic partnerships, spiritual direction, disability inclusion (as Diocesan Disability Advisor), and Reader ministry (as Warden of Readers).
She has served in a benefice of nine rural churches during a vacancy and was later appointed Area Dean. She has also led services at Southwell Minster. In 2025, she completed an MPA for faith‑based leaders and continues to contribute to theological education as a guest lecturer at St Mellitus College.
Beyond her diocesan roles, Sarah is a modern jive dance teacher, co-leads the Minster’s children’s ministry team, and serves as a school governor.
