Meet our new director!

We are delighted to announce that Stephen Douglas has been appointed as director of EMI UK. This has been the result of many months of prayer and consultation and we can't wait to see what God will do through Stephen.

We asked him a few questions to get to know him better:

Tell us about your professional background.

I’ve just stepped down as a Director in the Belfast architectural practice of Hall Black Douglas—a practice that three of us set up in 1986 a year after qualifying from Queen’s University here in my home town. We designed everything from house extensions up to large acute hospitals; mainly in Ireland, but also travelling for 10 years to India with work. A significant part of my work has been the reuse of redundant buildings and conservation—now made ‘fashionable’ by the drive to reduce our carbon footprint.

What most excites you about your role with EMI UK?

I’m excited by the opportunities to highlight the work of EMI in the UK—not only to Christian professionals, and to students who might be interested in serving, but to the wider church community who might catch the vision for good design coupled with discipleship bringing hope around the world.  I'm looking forward to meeting many of you around the country who are already faithfully supporting the work and to be able to support the vision of the Board as they move forward in faith.

If you could do a design project in any country in the world, where would it be and why?

I relish the opportunity to bring good design principles to local communities wherever they are situated—understanding the local culture, construction and environment. But if I had to choose one place, I would love to work on a community scheme in North India; a land of rich culture and spectacular scenery and where a Gospel witness is desperately needed.