The board of the diocesan ministry support agency, Sydney Anglican Services, has announced that long-serving CEO Robert Wicks is stepping down from the role.

Mr Wicks has held various positions in the Diocese for 27 years.

Trained as a lawyer, he began as a legal officer in 1998 before becoming Diocesan Secretary in 2004. During this period, Mr Wicks played a high profile role at Synod, providing valuable advice to the house so often that it became a running feature of proceedings each year.

His tenure as CEO of Sydney Diocesan Services (SDS) from 2016 was a period of reform and innovation which saw SDS evolve into Sydney Anglican Services (SAS).

“During his time as CEO, Rob’s visionary leadership has seen a transformation of SAS, as it assists diocesan organisations and parishes navigate an increasingly complex environment,” said John Pascoe, chairman of the SAS board. “His leadership has been characterised by humble service, a willingness to make tough and difficult decisions while retaining the highest respect of the board and staff.

“The board expresses deep thanks to Rob for the faithful, diligent and God-honouring way that he has served the SAS and the wider diocesan network and prays God’s blessing on Rob and Fran as they discern the best way to continue serving our Lord in this next chapter of their lives.”

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel also paid tribute, saying, “Rob Wicks has brought to his role as CEO a deep commitment to the progress of the gospel in the Diocese, serving the ministry priorities of the Synod. We thank God for him and pray for Rob and Fran as they enter a new chapter of service of the Lord."

Mr Wicks will leave his role at the end of 2025.

“It has been an enormous privilege serving the Diocese, its people and our Lord, in various roles over the past 27 years including the past nine years as CEO of Sydney Anglican Services,” he said. “Overwhelmingly, my time with SAS has been a joyful experience, and I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to have worked with so many faithful and godly men and women within SAS and across the broader diocesan network.

“While there is always more that needs to be done, I will be leaving SAS confident that changes made in recent years to our structure, operations and culture position us well to meet the future challenges of supporting the ministry of the Diocese.”