United Kingdom Newsletter, Winter 24/25
EMI UK is run by a diverse board of professionals from around the UK. This year we were joined by four new trustees, each passionate about the work of EMI around the world.
Meet our new trustees
Tim Aston
I am a structural engineer, working in UK engineering consultancies for the last twelve years or so, and am married with two energetic children! I was following the work of EMI for a while after a friend of a friend moved their whole life/family/career overseas to serve at an EMI office with their income based on donations of others, which I found very inspiring (and challenging!). When the opportunity came to support the work of EMI as a trustee, I felt prompted to get involved (I have trustee experience with a local church). I visited the EMI office in Cambodia and loved seeing the mix of nationalities working together, meeting the people working there and hearing about current and past projects that made a difference to the users and communities.
I believe there is huge potential for helping UK construction professionals connect their faith and their work, both in the UK and overseas. I am excited to support the vision of EMI and EMI personnel across the world. I would really encourage anyone who is looking on and interested that you can find a way to get involved through prayer, giving (time or money in various ways) or going (short or long term) - give it a go with eyes of faith and see what God will do in you and through you.
Jonny Scott
My name is Jonny Scott and I’m a Civil Engineer from Northern Ireland. After graduating in 2018 from Queen’s University, Belfast I spent the following year living in Queenstown, New Zealand and working as a Graduate Civil Engineer. When I returned home, I worked for an Engineering practice in East Belfast where I gained design experience on a variety of infrastructure, education and commercial projects from inception to completion. I obtained chartership with the ICE in 2023 and now work as a Civil Engineer at SSE Renewables. I have a desire to use my professional skills also for God’s Kingdom this has included serving on an EMI project trip to Goma, DRC in January 2024 and now as a trustee of EMI UK. I met my wife Rebecca at university when we were both involved in the work of the Christian Union on campus. We got married in Covid lockdown at the start of 2021 and are expecting a little one in January 2025 DV. I love any kind of sports and Vietnamese food.
Luke Hanson
My name is Luke Hanson and I am a graduate structural engineer. I am 26 years old, married to Bethany and live in East Belfast, where we are part of Bloomfield Presbyterian Church. I was born in Ireland, spent my childhood in Blantyre, Malawi, and then returned home to the Emerald Isle for secondary school and university.
At Queen’s University, Belfast I studied structural engineering. I have always had an interest in buildings and in how things worked. This seemed like a good combination of both! Outside of my work I love to be creative- drawing, painting or making things; and I love all things sport- hiking up a mountain, or playing tennis or rugby!
In 2024, Bethany and I moved to Uganda with EMI as interns for four months. I worked in the structural engineering team while Bethany worked in a local hospital as a doctor. We loved it; working alongside people from across the world and seeing the local impact which the projects have! We came home with a huge sense of appreciation for the work which God does through EMI, the individuals who make it happen and a desire to see more people here in the UK involved with all aspects of the organisation.
Ben Ward
I'm a structural engineer having been born and lived the majority of my life in Australia. I love any type of adventure and exploring the outdoors especially now that I'm living in the UK. I recently moved across to the UK after feeling God calling me into mission and humanitarian work and to use my engineering skills to help those living in terrible conditions due to poverty. After going on an EMI trip and seeing the amazing impact that it has, I'm excited to become a Trustee and help further the mission that EMI has in the UK and also globally.