Scientology have published a list of its biggest contributors to it’s UK ‘Ideal Org’ program. The strategy saw buildings purchased in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Gateshead, Plymouth and Edinburgh almost two decades ago, but despite millions in donations only two ‘Ideal Orgs’ have opened, with the rest standing in varying states of disrepair and under threat of compulsory purchase orders.
Scientologists are expected to donate funds to various causes, such as the ‘International Association of Scientologists’ (IAS) which serves as the official membership organisation for the Church of Scientology. The Ideal Org program, however, is separate and deals exclusively with David Miscavige’s real estate acquisition and renovation projects.
The list names 31 ‘UK Alliance Humanitarians’, a status given only to those who have donated at least $100,000 (USD) to the UK Ideal Org program. “Numerous familiar names in that list. The top ones, of course, are the biggest donors in the world,” journalist Tony Ortega tells us.
“How it works is, the Duggans, for example, have acknowledged publicly that they’ve given more than $360 million (USD) to Scientology. So a lot of that is to the IAS, but also they give to Ideal Org programs around the world. So when lists like this come up, no matter in what country, they are usually at the top.”
Here’s what we know about Scientology’s top UK donors.
Bob and Trish Duggan
Trish Duggan is “Patron of Legend” for the IAS. She’s divorced now from Bob Duggan, but he is still a major donor himself.” says Tony Ortega. They’ve “acknowledged publicly that they’ve given more than $360 million (USD) to Scientology.”
Jim & Gigi Bridgeforth
Jim Bridgeforth is a wealthy businessman based in Florida, home of Scientology’s Flag ‘Mecca’. Tony Ortega tells us “he and Tom Cummins are business partners, and they are two of the biggest donors in Scientology behind the Duggans”
Lizzy & Mauro Calcioli and Sheila Gaiman
Sheila Gaiman is somewhat of a household name in Scientology in the UK. She is the mother of famous best-selling author Neil Gaiman and her husband David, who passed away in 2009, once served as Scientology’s UK chief spokesperson. Sheila “has been listed as a “New Civilization Builder” in the UK, which is code for $1 million or more for a particular Ideal Org project.” says Tony Ortega.
Her daughter Lizzy runs G&G Vitamins, an East Grinstead-based supplements business that supplies Orgs with Niacin for their controversial Purification Rundown. She also runs Wealden House, which an inside source tells us “offers introductory courses and auditing for new Scientologists.” Lizzy and Mauro’s children have all served as staff members at the Church of Scientology London and their son Ale (Alessandro) made headline news in 2014 after winning a case in the Supreme Court that allowed him to marry Louisa Hodkin in the UK’s first Scientology wedding.
Stuart & Vicky Guy
“Stuart is the brother of Murdo Guy. His father and two of his uncles are declared SPs” our inside source tells us. “I think his mother still works HAPI” (Scientology’s Scottish branch). Stuart is in business with Rury MacLeod, who also features on the list, and both of them are described as Gold Meritorious IAS donors, meaning in addition to the UK Ideal Org program, they’ve donated at least $1 million to the IAS.
Richard & Melinda Bromley
Andrew & Maria Robb
Former Scientologist Pete Griffiths tells us “Andrew and Maria Robb have been in since the 1980s. They were in the Sea Org but I’m not sure of the situation now. I met them at the Birmingham org opening, they were chatty which I found surprising. I was sent to him for punishment and he had me move a huge pile of mouldy books from one side of the castle basement to the other whilst calling me a “robot”, needing instructions to operate at all. Clearly they have landed on their feet but no idea what they do.”
Rury & Sarah MacLeod
Rury (Ruaraidh) MacLeod is a Scottish Scientologist who previously worked in the evenings and weekends at London Org as a Foundation staff member. According to a 2019 interview, he learned about property investment by watching videos on Youtube and now lives a life of luxury raking in £8 million a year in income. He has also been listed as a ‘Gold Meritorious’ IAS member, which indicates he has donated at least $1 million (USD) to the International Association of Scientologist.
Rawner Parselle Family
Alastair & Tricia Lycett
The Lycett family live near East Grinstead and have previously made large donations to Narconon, Scientology’s drug rehabilitation centre in Sussex. Alastair and Tricia’s daughters Hannah and Steph Lycett once served as staff members at the Church of Scientology London, with Hannah training at Flag for several months on the ‘Golden Age of Tech II’ program back in 2013/14.
Geoff & Holly Parvin
Our inside source tells us “Holly Parvin is the daughter of Tony and Sue Hollom” who are “big-time UK FSMs.” FSM stands for Field Staff Member – which is a public Scientologist who earns commission from the sale of books and courses by recruiting new people in to Scientology.
Charles & Nicole Jackson
Another London staff member, Charles Jackson worked in Division 6 at the Church of Scientology London as Foundation staff. His post saw him conducting stress tests and selling books at the Tottenham Court Road ‘Test Centre’. We bumped into him unexpectedly at the opening of Scientology’s new Paris Ideal Org in April where he seemed thrilled his money was being put to good use.
Brenda McQuade
Brenda is the “ex-wife of Mark McQuade, a teacher at Greenfields” our inside source tells us. “As far as I know, Brenda is heavily involved in the Effective Education Centre in East Grinstead.”
Dan & Nat Garside
According to our inside source, Dan is the son of Mike Garside, who served in the Guardian’s Office before it was shut down after Operation Snow White. “Mike was a Reg for the Flag Office”, meaning it was his responsibility to recruit Scientologists onto expensive services at their Clearwater, Florida headquarters.
Warren & LeAnne Meyer
David & Becky Fryer
Becky’s parents Tony and Sue campaigned during the Anonymous movement after her then-boyfriend David introduced her to Scientology. She was declared a ‘Potential Trouble Source’ after they raised concerns about changes to her personality and behaviour after several trips to the Freewinds.
Gilchrist Wordie Family
Sam Wordie, seen wearing a red dress in the photo above, is the niece of Bill Drummond – who notably dresses as a pirate at Scientology protests in the UK. She received media attention in 2018 after renovating a manor house near East Grinstead named ‘The Ravenswood’, which she turned into a wedding venue.
Shelly & Gunilla Gerber
Andy Robb
According to a former Scientologist at Manchester Org, Andy Robb has been on staff “since the 90s.” Our source tells us “he had inheritances some time ago, so I assume that’s where their money came from. Andy is a long-time sup (Course Supervisor).”
Mathieson Pinchin Family
Mark Pinchin, pictured above, runs a painting and decorating business near East Grinstead and has previously served as the Director of Special Affairs (DSA) at the Church of Scientology London. As DSA, Pinchin was responsible for media relations and carrying out the orders of the notorious Office of Special Affairs which has been described by former members as “Scientology’s dirty tricks department”.
Brinkman Family
One former Manchester Scientologist tells us “Lisa Brinkman is one of the execs and was introduced years ago by Aidan Carlson,” who was one of Piers Springthorpe’s former business associates. Carlson is “no longer on lines and led meetings with a few people about his disagreements over Ideal Orgs.” According to our source, “Lisa’s husband Antony was briefly Manchester’s Executive Director before Tracey,” who currently holds the position. “He’s actually a really nice guy, and I was disappointed when he vacated the post.”
Alex & Tash Cronin
The Cronin family are well-known UK Scientologists. Our insider tells us in order to make this list and donate $100,000 to the Ideal Org program, “Alex sold his house to get there. Last I knew he was living in a rented room.”
Andy & Fran Hutton
According to our source, Andy and Fran Hutton are both former Sea Org members. “Fran used to be the CO CLO UK (Commanding Officer, Continental Liaison Office UK). They have a son called Jake who is at Flag last thing I knew.”
Gary & Katie Duxbury
Stewart & Lisa Coffey
Emmanuel & Julia Beyer
“I believe one of Emmanuel’s parents is declared. He is ex-Sea Org and has a brother called Sebastian” our source says.
Jon Swales
Our Manchester source tells us Jon Swales has been on staff there, along with Andy Robb, “since the 90s. To the best of my knowledge, they’re still on staff now.” Jon was the Supervisor on the ‘Key To Life’ course, later becoming Director of Training. Our source tells us “I believe he’s now training to be an auditor.”
Shahab & Catherine Emrani
Julian Somers
Sylvia Tomlin
Yvonne Springthorpe
Married to Piers Springthorpe, who passed away in 2009 shortly after purchasing the former Duckworth Distillery Building in Manchester, which is set to become the Church of Scientology’s next UK ‘Ideal Org’.
Do you see any familiar faces on this list? Get in touch to help us build a more accurate picture of who’s behind Scientology’s failing ‘Ideal Org’ program in the UK.
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