Meet the leadership

Ashley Saunders is the National Director of Barnabas Aid Australia.

Ashley has more than 30 years of experience as a servant leader in roles across law, politics, churches and not-for-profit organisations. He worked as a solicitor in private practice before the Lord called him into full-time ministry as an ordained pastor in the early 2000s.

Ashley has served locally and internationally in peace-making and peacebuilding efforts as a teacher, facilitator and mediator between individuals of different faiths, which informs his work today.

Ashley joined Barnabas Aid in 2018 and now provides strategic leadership as National Director for the work in Australia. He oversees operations, strengthens partnerships with local churches, and ensures resources are mobilised to support vulnerable and persecuted Christians around the world.

The ministry has taken him abroad to various countries, where he has visited Christians suffering for their faith and witnessed the impact of Barnabas Aid’s projects.

Ashley and his wife live in Queensland, as do their four children.

Contact Ashley: Ashley.Saunders@barnabasaid.org

Colin Bloom is the International CEO of Barnabas Aid.

Colin, who was appointed to the role in April 2024, has spent more than 30 years in the business, not-for-profit and political worlds. He has held several senior roles in British politics, including as a Senior Political Advisor to the British Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street and as the Conservative Party’s International Director. Between 2010 and 2015, Colin was the Executive Director of the Conservative Christian Fellowship, and a Director of Christians in Politics.

In 2019, he was appointed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as the government's Faith Engagement Advisor where he was tasked with reviewing governmental interaction with faith, people of faith, and places of worship. “The Bloom Review” was published in April 2023. After this, Colin retired from front line politics.

Colin is a committed Christian, a regular lay preacher, and advisor to many Christian organisations around the world.

Colin is married and has four almost grown-up children.

Contact Colin: Colin.Bloom@barnabasaid.org

Anna Beck is the International Chief Support Officer of Barnabas Aid.

Anna joined Barnabas Aid in 2025 having spent 25 years working across financial services, NGO, and overseas mission sectors. She started her career in audit and financial advisory with Deloitte, mainly in the high-tech and services sector for multinational and large private sector corporations. In 2013, she transitioned into the NGO/mission sector which included 8.5 years as Chief Finance Officer for Mission Aviation Fellowship International and trustee/non-exec advisory and leadership roles with Tearfund, Aviation for Good, churches, and other small charities.

Anna’s passion is to use the skills God has given her to serve her suffering brothers and sisters around the world. She is married to James with three teenage/young-adult children and enjoys working with young people in her local church, music, travel, walking with good coffee and spending time with friends and family.

Contact Anna: Anna.Beck@barnabasaid.org

Nancy joined Barnabas Aid in June 2024, bringing 16 years of experience in the charity sector alongside a deep personal commitment to its mission. She is driven to empower Barnabas’ global team and regional offices to raise awareness, promote prayer, and encourage generosity in support of persecuted and suffering Christians worldwide.

Her leadership is shaped by both professional expertise and personal faith, combining a strategic, data-informed approach with a strong sense of calling to serve the global Church. She is passionate about developing our people and strengthening our teams to respond effectively and compassionately.

Prior to joining Barnabas Aid, Nancy held senior leadership and trustee roles across the charitable sector, including Director of Fundraising at SPANA. She also spent two and a half years serving in her local church, a time of spiritual formation and practical ministry.

Nancy is married and has two young children.

Contact Nancy: Nancy.Mansfield@barnabasaid.org