The Dean

The Very Revd Dr Robert Willis

Robert Willis is the 39th Dean of Canterbury, having moved to Canterbury from Hereford Cathedral in the Summer of 2001. He is the Chairman of the Deans' and Provosts' Conference of the Church of England and has been a member of the General Synod for 14 years.
He is an accomplished pianist and lover of opera as well as a keen tennis player and traveller; he has also written some hymns. "What is important for all who work in the Cathedral is to find ways of showing every aspect of this holy place to the millions of visitors who come here each year, although how we do that may change over time" says the Dean. "In particular, the International Study Centre is a great resource for hospitality and for our communicating the welcome of Jesus Christ to all, both young and old, local residents and people from all over the globe."

Canon Treasurer

The Revd Dr Edward Condry

Ed Condry is the Canon Treasurer. He came to the cathedral in 2002 after many years in parish ministry. As Director of Education he also runs the international courses for the Anglican Communion at the International Study Centre.
In 2008 he was responsible for the revival of the Cathedral play, commissioning Sebastian Barry’s Dallas Sweetman for performance in the nave. At the moment he is also working on reducing the Cathedral’s energy use.
He most enjoys adventures with friends and family: walking with a donkey through France; rowing the English Channel and the length of the Thames; cycling to Rome; or walking the Santiago Way. These events have also raised several hundred thousand pounds for the Cathedral Appeal and other charities.
In 2012 his big challenge is to celebrate the Olympics by cycling with 11 friends from Olympia in Greece to the Olympic Stadium in London, which is 1500 miles. The ride is in aid of the Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance. You can find out more at http://o2o2012.org/
Ed lives in the Cathedral Precincts with his wife Sarah. They have four children, and two grandchildren, as well as various dogs, cats, hens and guinea pigs.

Canon Pastor

The Revd Clare Edwards

Clare Edwards moved to Canterbury in June 2004 and is Canon Pastor. She has responsibility for the pastoral care of those who work and worship at the cathedral and of the many who visit here each day as pilgrims and tourists.

From a background of general and sick children’s nursing in and around London, Clare trained for church ministry at Lincoln Theological College and has served in the diocese of Southwark for the last 18 years, in parish ministry, as rural dean and dean of women’s ministry. Clare has particular interests in liturgy, spirituality and retreat work and the church’s healing ministry. She also enjoys swimming, windsurfing and walking.

Canon Librarian

The Revd Christopher Irvine

Christopher Irvine is the Canon Librarian and came to the Cathedral from being Principal of the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield. He currently shares responsibility with a colleague in the diocese of Rochester for the continuing theological education and training of the recently ordained in the county of Kent.

Canon Irvine is a member of the Liturgical Commission of the Church of England, and the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England. He has a particular interest in the relation between the visual arts and theology, and is a trustee of Art and Christian Enquiry (ACE). His recent books include The Art of God (SPCK, 2005), and The Use of Symbols in Worship (SPCK 2007). Canon Irvine and Rosie have two grown-up daughters, and they both enjoy travel, and visiting galleries and art exhibitions.

Archdeacon of Canterbury

The Ven Sheila Watson

The Ven Sheila Watson is Archdeacon of Canterbury and a Residentiary Canon of Canterbury, combining responsibilties in the Cathedral and the diocese. On behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury, she enthrones all new diocesan bishops in the Province of Canterbury. She is the first woman to fulfil this role.
The Archdeacon's office is an historic one dating back to 798 past Archdeacons include Thomas Becket in 1154. In the church today, Archdeacon Sheila works closely with the Bishops to support the ministry of clergy and parishes.

Before coming to Canterbury in the spring of 2007, Sheila was Archdeacon of Buckingham. Born in 1953, Sheila graduated in Classics at St Andrews University, where she went on to take a research degree, after a preparatory year of theology at Oxford. After 27 years of ministry she came to Canterbury via the North East, London and Salisbury as well as Buckinghamshire. She has worked in three parishes and was also closely involved in the selection and training of clergy and laity in the Kensington Episcopal Area of the Diocese of London, at the Advisory Board of Ministry in Westminster, and later as Director of Ministry in the Salisbury diocese. Sheila is married to Derek, who was Dean of Salisbury until his retirement in 2002, and is now Preacher of Lincoln's Inn, one of the Inns of Court in London.

"I feel enormously privileged to be invited to join the team at Canterbury in both diocese and cathedral. I have always loved the cathedral with all its historic associations and I am greatly looking forward to getting to know the people and churches of Kent". She adds, "Being a priest is one of the most fascinating but sometimes one of the most demanding jobs in today's society - being a Christian can be pretty tough too but it is really exciting. I have been very lucky to see so many different contexts in ministry."

Archdeacon of Ashford

The Ven Philip Down

Philip Down, the Archdeacon of Maidstone since 2002, was born in Australia and came to the UK in 1986. Originally from the United Church in Australia, Philip was ordained Deacon and Priest in Lincoln Cathedral in 1989.

In addition to ecumenical parish posts in Australia and in Lincolnshire, he has served as Team Vicar of Grimsby Parish Church from 1989 to 1995, and Rector of St Stephen's, Canterbury between 1995 and 2002. He has served as Chairman of the Research Ethics Committee of the North Lincolnshire Regional NHS Trust and was a member of the Church of England Faith and Order Advisory Group which advises the House of Bishops on ecumenical matters.

Among his church interests Philip includes Ecumenical Theology, Social Ethics, and Faith and Science issues. Philip is married to Christine and they have a family of four adult children. The family keep one dog - a wonderful Jack Russell terrier called Jessie and a number of rare breed chickens. Philip also greatly enjoys conversation and company, opera, theatre and cinema, poetry, art and travel, fine wine and cooking and eating but, with apologies to all Australians, not sport.

Lay Member of Chapter

Professor Michael Wright

Professor Michael Wright retired as Vice Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University in the summer of 2010 and from 1997, he was the Principal in its earlier position as a College and University College.

His academic discipline is law. Before Canterbury Christ Church, he taught law and was an academic manager at universities in Bristol, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Besides participation in many education, church and community organisations Professor Wright is a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, member of the Council of Church Universities and Colleges, Chairman of the Governing Body of Thanet College, Chairman of the Governing Body of Northbourne Park School, a Commissioner at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School and Vice-Chairman of the Canterbury Festival Board.

Outside education he lists golf and singing in the local choir amongst his interests. Michael Wright is married with three grown up children.

He was awarded a CBE in December 2009.

Lay Member of Chapter

Mrs Caroline Spencer

Caroline has been active in church life and governance for many years. She is a member of the General Synod, Chair of the Canterbury Diocesan House of Laity, and a member of the Canterbury Archbishop's Council.

She is also a governor of Canterbury Christ Church University. Caroline worships at Wye Parish Church where she teaches the young teenagers in SundayClub and makes the coffee.

She lives in Godmersham with her husband Jonathan. Their three children are now grown and flown. She enjoys cooking for friends, walking (especially in mountains) and the performing arts (just as well since two of her children are musicians and the other is a dancer).

Lay Member of Chapter

Mr William Pettit

Appointed to Chapter in January 2007, William is the Civic and International Manager at Canterbury City Council. William has assisted at Services in the Cathedral for many years and represents the Cathedral on the Deanery Synod.

“After more than 25 years as a member of the Cathedral’s congregation, I am honoured and delighted to have been given this new way of serving the Cathedral community,” William said on his appointment.

Receiver General

Brigadier John Meardon

The Receiver General is the Chief Executive Officer of the Cathedral and the senior lay member of the Cathedral staff. Retiring from the Royal Marines after 34 years service, John Meardon joined the Cathedral in 1998 and has been involved in matters great and small affecting the life of the Cathedral and the Precincts ever since.

He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Kent in January 2008. He lives in Canterbury with his wife, Ann, who is head of the Cathedral Flower Guild.

Archivist

Cressida Williams

Cressida Williams is Cathedral and City Archivist. She leads the staff team at the Cathedral Archives, where the historic records of the Cathedral are preserved and made available for consultation, together with the records of the City, the Diocese and parishes in East Kent, and related manuscript collections.
The Cathedral Archives is a busy record office, with over 5,600 research visits made each year. Cressida qualified as an archivist in 1997, and has particular interests in medieval charters and seals, and architectural records.

General Manager of the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge and ISC

James Perry

James Perry is the General Manager of the International Study Centre which provides hospitality for residents, conferences and events

Vesturer (Head Virger)

Chris Crooks

Chris Crooks joined the Cathedral’s staff as Vesturer (Head Virger) in October 2005, having previously been Head Virger at Salisbury and Portsmouth Cathedrals, and a virger at Wells and Llandaff Cathedrals.

He is responsible for a team of virgers and cleaners,  and  assists the Dean, the Canons and the Precentor in planning and overseeing the ceremonial and practical details of over 1600 daily and special services every year. The virgers liaise with other departments to welcome many thousands of pilgrims to the services, and assist with the needs of concert and exhibition organisers, schools, universities and conferences who use the cathedral throughout the year. Chris was elected National Chairman of The Church of England Guild of Vergers in July 2004

Executive Secretary to the Friends

{POSITION VACANT}

This position is currently Vacant

Chief Executive of The Canterbury Gift

Andrew Edwards

Andrew Edwards is Chief Executive of The Canterbury Gift, formerly called Save Canterbury Cathedral.  The Gift raises money to support conservation, music, education and development at Canterbury Cathedral”

Organist and Master of Choristers

Dr David Flood

Dr. David Flood has been Master of the Choristers since 1988, and under his direction the Cathedral Choir has yet further advanced its national and international reputation.

Precentor and Liturgist

The Revd David Mackenzie Mills

The Precentor and Liturgist, is responsible for co-ordinating the worshipping life of the cathedral, and advises the Dean and Chapter on musical and liturgical matters.

Head of Visits & Marketing

Therese Heslop

Mrs Therese Heslop is responsible for marketing the Cathedral and delivery of a first class Ministry of Welcome to all its visitors, through the Visits Office, Welcome Centre and team of 300+ volunteers.

Schools Officer

Alison Coghlan

Education is an important part of the Cathedral’s mission, and Alison Coghlan and her colleagues in the Schools Office provide first class facilities to the 100,000 or so school children who visit the Cathedral every year.

Facilities are tailored to National Curriculum requirements and range from project room activities to guided tours.

Security and Safety Manager

James (Jim) Morley

Jim joined the Cathedral staff in March 2002 after a short period of time as the Beadle for the Worshipful  Company of Grocers, prior to that he served in the British Army for 24 years.  He is responsible for the day-to-day security of the Cathedral and Precincts as well as the point of contact for safety and fire prevention issues.

General Manager of Cathedral Enterprises Ltd.

Christopher Needham

Cathedral Enterprises is the trading arm of the Cathedral and gives all their profits back to the Cathedral to help with the running costs.

The activities extend to the large retail operation; the seasonal catering outlet; publishing guide books and the external work of the expert stained glass studio and stone masons.

Director of Projects

William Roe

William has worked at the Cathedral since May 2007. He is a Chartered Civil Engineer and qualified Project Manager with over 30 years experience working in the Building and Construction industries.

Head of Stone Conservation

Heather Newton

Heather gained a distinction in City and Guilds and a post-graduate qualification in the conservation of stone and plaster from Weymouth College in Dorset.

She came to Canterbury Cathedral in 1988 and in her own words “ I have continued my training until the present day!”.  After just 10 years here she was asked to run the stone conservation unit.

She has been Advisor on stone conservation to Canterbury Diocesan Advisory Committee since 1996, PACR Accredited since 2000 and was appointed to the Fabric Advisory Committee of Rochester Cathedral and made Head of Stone Conservation at Canterbury in 2006.

Events Co-ordinator

Emma Clarke

Miss Emma Clarke has been a member of Cathedral staff since Feb 2008. She is the person to whom all requests for the use of the Cathedral and its Precincts should be addressed.

She is also the person to whom all requests for filming and photography should be directed to (other than press enquiries- Please contact Mr. Christopher Robinson).

Estates Surveyor and Press Officer

Christopher Robinson

Mr. Christopher Robinson is the point of contact for all press enquiries.

Head of Cathedral Studios

Leonie Seliger

Leonie Seliger is head of the Stained Glass Conservation Department. She also advises the Dioceses of Canterbury and Rochester on faculty applications involving restoration/conservation as well as new designs for windows in the churches of the dioceses. Leonie is also a versatile designer of new windows; her work can be seen for instance in St. Bartholomew's Chapel in Sandwich and All Saints Church in Boughton Aluph.

Senior Library Assistant

Karen Brayshaw

Karen Brayshaw manages the historical library collections on behalf of the Dean & Chapter and maintains the modern book collection used to support researchers interests.

The Cathedral Library works closely with the Archives Department and The University of Kent.

Karen came to work in the Library in 2005, whilst studying for her MA in Medieval and Tudor History. She has a particular interest in early printed Bibles and Prayer books.

HR Manager

Alison Brookman

Alison provides the Dean and Chapter with advice on employment law, implements legislative changes and manages the personnel, training and payroll functions within the organisation.

Having worked locally in HR for many years, Alison is familiar with our local community and enjoys working closely with the Dean and Chapter staff, volunteers and the many external contacts the Cathedral works along-side.

Clerk of Works

Peter Curtis