Roy was born and grew up on Tyneside and North Yorkshire and is passionate about the North East. He came to faith when he was training as an Outward Bound instructor in Scotland before going on to prepare for ministry at Lebanon Missionary Bible College.

A creative, missional pioneer, he works ecumenically and has served in various aspects of denominational ministry, is a former President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and is currently an Accompanier to the National Baptist Steering Group.

He is one of the founders of the Northumbria Community, where he has been one of its leaders since 1992.