When you join an organisation, you hope to find a culture that is supportive, professional, and honest, where people feel valued, ideas are heard, and everyone can bring their best selves to work.

We have been fortunate to have had that culture, led by someone who has embodied those qualities every day.

Margaret Bearsley joined AFC in 2021 and, over the past five years, has made an enormous contribution to our organisation and our people. She has led with authenticity, care, professionalism, and humour, always keeping our members at the heart of what we do.

For all of us here, it is the big things and the little things we will remember: her perfect grammar (knowing where the “:” should be!), her ability to listen, her genuine care for people, her wisdom, her humour (especially when chocolate biscuits are involved!) and her unwavering commitment to doing the right thing.

Perhaps Margaret’s greatest legacy, however, is the culture that she has built: one grounded in support, loyalty, integrity and professionalism, where people trust each other, speak up, and feel able to contribute.

In the words of the team

“He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.” “It is the people, it is the people, it is the people”. Margaret embodied this for our team.

“I believe I have gotten better, because of her.”

Margaret was a true people leader who empowered us to bring our best to the work we do, making each of us feel trusted, valued and able to contribute.  I will certainly miss her.

The legacy continues

As Margaret finished up on 31 August, we want to reassure our members that the team remains firmly in place and our commitment to you is unchanged.

As the Board begins the process of appointing a new CE to our team, we welcome Murray Sherwin CNZM as Interim Chief Executive, from 1 September.

The values Margaret has championed are now deeply embedded in who we are. They do not leave with one person. We will continue to live those values, build on the strong foundations she has helped create, and remain focused on delivering for our members.

We will miss Margaret enormously, but we are proud of what she leaves behind.

Thank you, Margaret, for everything you have given to AFC and to all of us. We wish you every happiness and success for whatever comes next.

A personal message from Margaret

I am sad to be leaving the best job I’ve had in my life. I’ve been so blessed to be able to lead a team that, to a person, cares deeply about serving our members. Even though now is the time for me to focus on other interests, I will always carry our wonderful scheme members and my very special AFC work colleagues in my heart.

Margaret Bearsley

Changes to our Board

At the latest General Synod Standing Committee Meeting, two changes were made to the New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Board:

• The Rev’d Lawrence Kimberley has stepped down from the Board. Lawrence has served AFC with distinction, and the Board offers its heartfelt thanks for his outstanding leadership, commitment, and care throughout his long tenure.
• The Ven. Carole Hughes, our Deputy Chair, will now step into the role of Board Chair.
• The Board also warmly welcomes Mr John Whitehead, appointed by General Synod to succeed the Rev’d Lawrence Kimberley for Tikanga Pākehā.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please seek advice from a qualified financial adviser when making decisions about your financial situation.

The New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Board trading as Anglican Financial Care is the manager and issuer of Christian KiwiSaver Scheme, The Retire Fund and The New Zealand Anglican Church Pension Fund. Product Disclosure Statements and Fund Updates are available at angfincare.nz/news-and-knowhow/forms-and-documents/