In Memoriam: Dr Richard Turnbull (1960-2025)

Dr Richard Turnbull, who died on 26 November 2025 after a short battle with cancer, was a distinguished historian and Christian leader. He brought to business, church and the academy a deep faith, incisive mind and kind heart, all of which radiated a passionate love for God’s people.

Richard grew up in a non-Christian home and became a Christian while studying economics and accounting at Reading University. This gave him a lifelong interest in work with young people. He first qualified as a Chartered Accountant, serving the clients of Ernst and Young for eight years and being appointed as the youngest ever member of the Press Council.

Feeling a call to ordained ministry in the Church of England, he studied at Cranmer Hall in Durham, where he gained a first class honours degree and PhD in Theology. He ministered in Southampton and then as a much-loved leader of Christ Church Chineham. He served on the Church of England’s General Synod. He was a member of the Archbishops’ Council and chaired the Synod’s Business Committee and a number of working parties including a review of the remuneration of the clergy. He was appointed Principal of Wycliffe Hall in 2005, a major evangelical theological college, which he led for seven years with wisdom and courage at a time of rapid change. He was a member of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Oxford, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and served as Visiting Professor of St Mary’s University, Twickenham, and Chair of the Christian Institute.

After Wycliffe he founded The Centre for Enterprise, Markets and Ethics with Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach. He served with great distinction as our Founding Director for twelve years until his retirement in 2025. His patient, faithful work established the Centre in its mission to equip business, church and policy leaders with faith-based perspectives on the economy.

His books include an outstanding biography of Anthony Ashley Cooper, the Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury (Shaftesbury: The Great Reformer), a history of the eighteenth century English revival (Reviving the Heart) and an influential account of evangelical spirituality (A Passionate Faith). For The Centre his work included theologies of work, the common good and capitalism, and scholarship on Quaker Capitalism, on which he was a globally renowned expert.

Richard’s exemplary service and distinctive witness inspired thousands of people around the world and his self-deprecating humour brought a smile to many faces. He cared deeply for those around him and for those in need. He is mourned by numerous friends, both across the UK from his native Yorkshire to the Isle of Wight where he spent holidays with his family, and in the United States which he visited frequently.

At the same time he was at heart a family man: a devoted husband, father and son. He is mourned especially by his wife, Caroline, his children and elderly father, who we hold in our prayers. Richard reached the end of his earthly life full of faith and hope and love. He said, ‘It is time to go to glory’. Amen.

Written by Philip Krinks, CEME Director