Former crime-fighting chief swapping drug busts for church bazaars

He’s helped to smash drug rings and brought criminal gangs to heel but now, it seems, Paul Evans is looking for a quieter life…as the Bishop of Ely’s diocesan secretary.

Mr Evans is a former chief investigation officer at HM Revenue and Customs and also spent time as an executive director of the Serious Organised Crime Agency – the now defunct crime fighting organisation dubbed the UK’s FBI.

Mr Evans also spent time as a ‘risk consulting director’ for finance giant KPMG.

In his roles within the civil service, Mr Evans would have overseen major operations against large criminal cartels with interests in drug smuggling and fraud.

But, as the diocesan secretary, Mr Evans will swap the day-to-day bustle of catching criminals for tea and biscuits with the clergy and laity in the parishes of the Diocese of Ely.

According to the Bishop of Ely, the Rt Revd Stephen Conway, Mr Evans brings with him “significant experience in strategic planning and change management,

modernisation and reform.”

The bishop said: “I am delighted that Paul Evans is coming to work with us as the Diocesan Secretary in Ely.

“We are confident that he is the person whose experience, gifts and skills match our needs and ambitions as a diocese and who will dedicate his efforts to guarantee that an efficient central team is always at the service of our parishes.”

Mr Evans said: “I look forward to getting to know the clergy, lay ministers, church officers and volunteers, and to developing and enhancing the work of the diocesan office team as it serves and supports the parishes in the diocese.”