Executive Team
Arianna Walker
Chief Executive
With over 25 years of leadership experience in secular, ministry and church settings, Arianna Walker (B.Ed Hons, MA) has been intricately involved in the pioneering of Mercy UK from its earliest beginnings in 1999, becoming CEO in 2007.
Arianna is an international conference speaker, author of three Mercy books and the primary author of Mercy UK’s Keys to Freedom material. As CEO, Arianna also oversees the charity’s continued development across the UK and Europe and sits on several Boards including Mercy Beyond, Mercy Multiplied International and most recently became a Director at Mind and Soul Foundation.
Arianna is a member of the British Psychological Society and has completed her MSc in Psychology of Mental Health and Well-being.
Arianna has been married to her husband Matthew, for over 30 years and has two grown-up sons.
Debbie Harvie
Chief Operating Officer
Debbie Harvie (Cllr., BSc Hons, MA) holds over 20 years of experience in delivering pastoral care management, charity governance and organisational change management, with a particular interest in developing trauma-informed practice.
Debbie is a trained counsellor and holds a BSc Hons in behavioural sciences and management and a Master’s degree in Theology from Durham University. As a member of the Chartered Governance Institute, Debbie also acts as secretary to the Board and is undertaking a qualification in Charity Law.
As the primary author of Mercy UK’s Freedom Course curriculum, Debbie is confident in teaching, training and coaching others and oversees the theological integrity of Mercy UK.
Debbie and her husband Rob have been together for over 20 years, and have a son and daughter.
Catrina Barlow
Director of People & Culture
Catrina Barlow (BSc Hons) began her journey with Mercy UK in 2006 as a volunteer and brought her experience working in secular residential settings.
Catrina oversees our people strategies and our regulatory compliance with care standards and is working towards chartered status in HR. She has a specialist interest in developing multi-agency liaisons, promoting mental health awareness and ensuring the safeguarding of others.
Catrina is a member of the British Psychological Society with a First Class honours in Psychology and is an accredited BPS Clinical Supervisor.
Bryn Abbott
Director of Development
Bryn Abbott’s (BA Hons, MA.) professional life has been built upon equipping Christian organisations and charities to use design and communications to grow, develop and bring about the change they wish to see in the communities they serve.
With a Master’s degree in design for social change, a Bachelor’s degree in English and Theology, and a personal interest in mental health and wellbeing, Bryn is well-equipped and passionate to see the Church and its people, equipped for rough terrain.
Trustees
We are so grateful for our dedicated team of Trustees who, together with the Executive team, head up the governance and leadership of Mercy UK. The Board meet quarterly and bring together a broad selection of skills, talents and expertise.
Helen Edwards
Governance Lead
Warrick McCullough
Health & Safety Lead
Rob Waller
Clinical Advisor & Safeguarding Lead
Jonathan Clark
Fiona Taylor
Debbie Wattis
Ambassador
Dr. Lavanya Dua
Mercy UK acknowledges and accepts that there are different emphases and expressions within various Christian traditions. As a Christian charity, we affirm that:
The Bible is the accurate and authoritative Word of God and applicable to our everyday lives.
There is one God, the Creator, who exists in three persons; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. He is totally loving and completely holy.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only one who can reconcile us to God. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross in our place and rose again to prove His victory and empower us for life.
In order to receive forgiveness for our sins we must repent and believe in Jesus Christ who equips us to live a new life.
God desires to heal and transform us so that we may live free, stay free and reach others more effectively.
Our eternal destination is determined by our response to Jesus Christ and that He is coming back again.
The Church is the body of Christian Believers, called into committed fellowship with one another and anointed to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the world
Endorsements
"I was just talking to a lady who runs very important residential clinics for young people who have been self-harming or indeed have eating disorders – a classic example of someone of faith who has a great belief in wanting to do good, in wanting to change the world and we should encourage those faith-based organisations into the solving of social problems"
The Rt Hon David Cameron,
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
