ISS Executive Officer, Lieut-Colonel George Pilkington

Lieut-Colonel George Pilkington has been an officer for 37 years, serving in corps, training college, divisional and territorial appointments within the UK.

His present appointment as Secretary for Personnel includes responsibility for all employees, active and retired officers, the Overseas Services Unit, Pastoral Care Unit, and Safeguarding Unit. He is also a director of The Salvation Army Trustee Company and a member of Cabinet (the leadership team of The Salvation Army in the UK & Ireland).

George is married to Vera, who is a retired officer. They soldier at Hendon Corps where George is the Corps Sergeant Major and Vera is the Recruiting Sergeant. They have four children and two grandchildren.

ISS Leader, Dorothy Nancekievill

Dorothy was appointed leader of the ISS in November 2003.

She grew up in Glasgow, Scotland and attended Paisley, Parkhead and Govan Corps (churches), studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Glasgow University, post-graduate study then brought her to the South West of England.

She is the Director of Music at Wells Cathedral School where she works with many of the best young musicians and teachers in the country. Dorothy is married to Gary and they have two sons, Matthew and David. She attends the Bristol Easton corps of the Salvation Army where she has been Songster pianist, Singing Company Leader and Songster Leader, this has involved travelling both in this country and abroad.

Dorothy has been active in teaching at Territorial Music School and is passionate about vocal music in the Salvation Army; her desire is that the ISS should excite, challenge and inspire their listeners.

ISS Deputy Leader, Joan Spencer

Joan has been a member of the ISS since 1988 and was appointed Deputy Songster Leader in 1999, having served under all its leaders. Her formative years were spent in the North East of England attending the corps at Sunderland Monkwearmouth.

Joan moved to London to study piano and singing at the Royal Academy of Music, gaining a Licentiate in vocal studies. During this time she attended Upper Norwood Corps, singing in their songsters for three years under the leadership of Lieut-Colonel Bernard Adams. Joan has been involved in Salvation Army music schools in both the UK and overseas, helping establish summer schools in Moscow, training staff and directing the singing for several years in the late 90s.

After 20 years at Sutton Corps, where she was Deputy Songster Leader, Joan now lives in North Derbyshire and is a secondary school teacher specialising in choral training. She is married to Roland and has two daughters, Nicola and Michelle, and a baby grandson. She is the Deputy Songster Leader at Sheffield Citadel.

Amanda Batt (piano) joined the ISS in May 2000 as their accompanist. She attends Leigh-on-Sea Corps and is a Primary School Teacher.

Hilary Bromage (soprano) joined the ISS in November 2000.  She attends Boscombe Corps.

Chris Carter (bass guitar) joined the ISS in January 2009. He is studying music and music performance at Huddersfield University and attends Hadleigh Temple Corps.

Roger Cobb (tenor) joined the ISS in November 2006 and attends Hendon Corps. He's a Production Manager, is married to Sandra and has two grown-up sons. 

Deborah Crane (alto) joined the ISS in March 2006 and attends Reading Central Corps. She's a Business Systems Analyst and has a son.

Jeanette Edmands (Soprano) joined the ISS in March 2008.  She is an Information Analyst/Auditor for the Medical Defence Union, and attends Chalk Farm Corps.

Melanie Ellis (alto) joined the ISS in April 2001 and is the Songster Pianist at Coventry City Corps. She's a Music Teacher in a Primary School, is married to Huw and has a son and a daughter.

Kevin Fenton-Herring (bass) was the youngest singer ever auditioned for the ISS at age 14! He was appointed 9 years later in August 1992. He attends Regent Hall Corps and is an Equity Dealer.

Ian French (bass) joined the ISS in April 1999. He works in finance, is married to Heather and is the Assistant Corps Sergeant Major at Portsmouth Citadel.

Elaine Heaven (alto) joined the ISS in September 2005 and is the Songster Leader at Oxford Corps. She's a School Secretary, is married to Noel and has a son and daughter.

Rachel Horwood (soprano) joined the ISS in September 2005 and attends Chatham Citadel where she is Assistant Singing Company Leader. She works at THQ in the Payroll department. 

Carol Johnson (alto) joined the ISS in February 1989 and attends Leigh-on-Sea Corps. She's a Financial Assistant, is married to Graham and has two daughters.

Margaret Launn  (Sergeant/alto) joined the ISS in June 2002 and is the Acting Singing Company Leader at Bedford Congress Hall Corps. She's a Teaching Assistant in a primary school, is married to Andrew and has a son and two daughters.

Cath Maughan (soprano) joined the ISS originally in 1987 and after a break she rejoined the group in 2008. Cath attends Staines Corps and is married to Wes. She has 3 grown up sons and 2 grandchildren.

Richard McIntosh (bass) joined the ISS in September 2003. He attends Chelmsford Citadel where he is the Recruiting Sergeant. Richard is a Primary School Teacher, is married to Jo and has a son.

Kelvin Mercer (Secretary/bass) joined the ISS in September 2003 and attends Bexleyheath Corps. He's an Executive in an insurance firm, has three grown up children and three grandchildren.

Lesley Nicholson (alto) joined the ISS in April 2000 and is the Songster Leader at Birmingham Citadel. She is married to David and has two sons and a daughter.

Juliet Parker (soprano) joined the ISS in November 2008 and is the Songster Leader at Ipswich Citadel. She is married to Peter and has two sons.

Kevin Sandford (tenor) was a founder member of the ISS and rejoined the group in March 2006. He's the Centre Co-ordinator at Bedford Congress Hall Corps. Kevin is married to Jane and has two sons.

Andrew Scott (technician) joined the ISS in January 2002 attends Andover Corps. After a career in the Royal Air Force he is now an IT Manager. Andrew is married to Penny and has a son and a granddaughter.

Penny Scott (soprano) joined the ISS in January 2000 and attends Andover Corps. She is married to Andrew and has two grown up children, two grandsons and one granddaughter.

David Sewell (bass) was a founder member of the ISS, joining in March 1980. He attends Regent Hall Corps and is a Building Contractor. He's married to Joy and they have four grandchildren.

Adam Sewell-Jones (tenor) joined the ISS in October 2000 and is the Bandmaster at Romford Corps. He's an Accountant, is married to Samantha and has two daughters.

Rosemary Steadman-Allen (soprano) joined the ISS in September 2007 and is band and songster sergeant at Chatham Citadel. She is a forensic mental health social worker and has two grown up children.

Hayley Stubbs (alto) joined the ISS in September 2005 and attends Derby Central Corps. She's a Dental Practice Manager, is married to Matthew and has two sons.

Christine Thomas (Librarian/alto) joined the group in October 1984 and is the Deputy Songster Leader at Staines Corps. She works at THQ as the Territorial Annual and Self Denial Appeals Officer.

Susan Turner (alto) originally in the ISS for 12 years rejoined the group in Jan 2009. She is currently Vocal Tutor for Suffolk Music Service and is Songster Leader at Stowmarket Corps.  She is married to Gerald and has two grown up children and two lovely grandaughters.

Ruth Unwin (alto) was a founder member of the ISS, joining in March 1980. She attends Basingstoke Corps, is married to Tony and is a Peripatetic Music Teacher.

Carolynn Woodman (soprano) joined the ISS in September 1998 and is the Singing Company Leader and Deputy Songster Leader at Chatham Citadel. She's the Choral Director at The Rochester Grammar School, is married to Carl and has a young son.