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# Bishop of Lichfield urges churches to follow JCB’s example
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/bishop-of-lichfield-urges-churches-to-follow-jcbs-example/
- Published: 2010-10-24T07:30:28.000Z
- Updated: 2010-10-23T23:03:11.000Z
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 21:47, News

The Bishop of Lichfield has called on churches to follow the lead of manufacturer JCB as they consider how to grow.

![The Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/jonathangledhill.jpg "jonathangledhill")

The Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill

The Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill was giving a presidential address to members of the Lichfield Diocesan Synod, when he recalled a visit to JCB’s world headquarters and the company’s new Academy in Rocester.

He said:

> “Jo Bamford, the original JCB, brought some consultants in who said that if he wanted JCB to succeed he should move it out of Staffordshire, which is a long way from any ports and major hubs and locate near Heathrow or a major port. But he replied that ‘We started in a lock-up in Uttoxeter and the firm will stay in Staffordshire’.  
>  
> “He was right. JCB is now the world’s third largest manufacturer of earth moving equipment and many management consultants have gone out of business!  
>  
> “Jo Bamford’s strapline for JCB is *Shaping the World* and the kind of vision he has for his new-style academy is not very far from the Christian ideal for the young. And if JCB can grow by re-inventing an old tradition – apprenticeships – can’t the church do the same with discipleship?”