Julian Bond has been director of the Christian Muslim Forum since its launch in 2006.
Before joining the Forum, Julian studied Theology and Education at the Universities of Wales and Gloucestershire. After a very brief spell as a Prep School teacher he joined HM Revenue & Customs, with positions in audit, information systems and management consultancy. However, a Civil Service career was excitingly and unexpectedly interrupted by a two year secondment to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Initiative in Christian-Muslim Relations in 2002. Many years of Civil Service training and experience came into their own as he planned and organized conversations and reflections with Christians and Muslims around the country. He was co-author of the inspiring report of these ‘Listening Exercises’ which proposed, in July 2004, that the Archbishop support the creation of a national Christian Muslim Forum.
Julian is passionate about improving relations between Christians and Muslims in the UK and beyond. “Our religions do not encourage us to be negative about each other. I am excited by the track record and future potential of the Christian Muslim Forum in creating opportunities to meet, understand, and find new ways of living and working together, inspired by a vision of radical friendship.”