Tom Stevens

Some of you may be aware that Tom Stevens, who led Transform Work UK from its early days up unto the end of last year, died a few weeks ago. It was a shock to us all as Tom had led a very active life and was a youthful 59 up until his illness in late 2011. He was diagnosed with a heart condition and had an operation a few months ago to put things right. However complications followed and he finally went to be with his Lord on May 13th.

Tom was a highly personable man, with gifts in administration and leadership, kind and compassionate. For all of us at Transform Work UK we know we have lost someone we could count on as a friend. Others of course have lost much more.

At the same time, we should bear in mind that Tom enjoyed a full Christian life and a 30 year career in the police service which he loved. He achieved a university degree with the Open University, and a post-graduate diploma in Management Studies. He was a member of the Institute of Management. After ten years in retirement, he was working harder then than ever as witnessed by his excellent reputation with everyone who came into contact with him.

As an Inspector in the Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Tom focused mainly on crime prevention, operations management, and was also in his time a Specialist Training manager. His training roles meant that he had huge numbers of friends and contacts. Additional tasks included advising - gratis by the way - on security for country houses and farms.

Most of you though would have known Tom as Executive Director for Transform Work UK, a role he carried out for many years. Here, along with others, he shared a passion to champion Christian groups with a vision to transform their workplace. Not least as a result of Tom’s dedicated work, there is now a significant number of Christian groups relating with Transform Work UK.

Tom was also a non-executive chair of Luminus, a Cambridgeshire-based housing association well known for being a top company to work for.

If that were not enough, Tom and I shared a love for Romania. He was Director of a children’s home in Bucharest for three years and I sense he was practically a father to the entire enterprise. Listen to Suzie Marsden of the Romanian International Children’s Foundation just a few days ago:

'I am so grateful to Tom for the amazing contribution he made as a board member for bringing his expertise and helping turn the organisation around. I remember fondly some of the funny times dealing with various situations in Romania, when Tom would be so clear-thinking and sensible! Such an amazing man. We will miss him.’

The family would like to invite you to give generously to Suzie’s Romanian International Children’s Foundation. It’s a good way for us to honour Tom. You can find out more at www.ricf.net

Outside my home in Malvern a few days ago, there were two quite amazing events. First, a Christian praise bus, followed not long after by the Olympic torch procession. Tom knew full well the value and worth of a praise bus to precede any endeavour! And when it comes to the Olympians, Tom was surely a man ablaze, an Olympic flame which will burn on.

Everyone here at Transform Work UK stand ready and committed to continue to grow the work that Tom was so instrumental in getting established.

Jeff Steady, Chair, Transform Work UK.