The Dean
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
Dr. Edward Condry
Edward Condry is the Canon Treasurer. He came to the cathedral in 2002 after many years in parish ministry. He also runs the international courses for the Anglican Communion at the International Study Centre.
He is a member of Canterbury Harriers, and also competed in the world Indoor Rowing Championships in Boston in 2006. He is currently organising a Sponsored bike ride from Canterbury to Rome in 2007, with 30 friends, in aid of the Development Fund.
Edward lives in the Cathedral Precincts with his wife Sarah. They have four children. "This is a marvellous place to be. It is a privilege to be able to join in the daily worship of this great Cathedral."
Canon Pastor
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
Christopher Irvine
Christopher Irvine is the Canon Librarian and has recently
come to the Cathedral from being Principal of the College of the Resurrection,
Mirfield. He now 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. He is a Consultant to the Liturgical Commission of the
Church of England, and has a particular interest in the relation between art
and theology. His most recent book was The Art of God (SPCK, 2005).
Canon Irvine and Rosie have two grown-up daughters, and they both enjoy travel
and visiting galleries and art exhibitions.
“Canterbury is a major centre of Christian life and learning, and it is a particular joy to be living at the heart of this vibrant and varied Cathedral community. We look forward to exploring the county of Kent and in welcoming and extending our circle of friends from around the Anglican Communion.”
Archdeacon of Canterbury
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 Maidstone
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
Fred Whitemore
Fred Whitemore was born in 1941 in Somerset. He was educated at Worcester College Oxford and a post graduate at Nuffield College, Oxford. He was a member of the Department of Government and Politics (later Department of Politics and International Relations) at the University of Kent from 1965-2002, a Canterbury City Councillor from 1972 to 1974 and since 1983. He was also Lord Mayor of Canterbury from 2001 to 2002. He is a member of many local Canterbury organisations (eg Citizens' Advice Bureau, Northgate Ward Development Group) and a school governor.
Lay Member of Chapter
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
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 International Study Centre
Christopher Biggin
Christopher Biggin 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
The Executive Secretary to the Friends
Pam Doyle
Mrs Pam Doyle has been in post since March 1998 and co-ordinates and develops Friends activities.
The Organist
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 Reverend Jeremy Frost
Jeremy moved to Canterbury in February 2004, having served as a curate in the Diocese of Lichfield. As Precentor and Liturgist he is responsible for co-ordinating the worshipping life of the cathedral, and advises the Dean and Chapter on musical and liturgical matters.
Head of Visitor Services
Therese Heslop
Mrs. Therese Heslop is in charge of visitor services through the visits office and welcome centre.
Schools Officer
Alison Hurst
Alison Hurst is the point of contact for all schools and young people's groups coming to the Cathedral for planned educational visits.
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.
The Manager of the Cathedral Shop
Christopher Needham
Mr. Christopher Needham is general manager of Cathedral Enterprises Ltd.
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.
The Librarian
Keith O'Sullivan
Keith M C O’Sullivan is the Cathedral Librarian. He is in overall charge of the provision of library services within the Precincts.
This includes reader and bibliographic services, presently encompassing collections of some 50,000 printed books and pamphlets, and St Augustine's Library.
Finance Manager
Richard Phillips
Richard Phillips is a Chartered Certified Accountant
who joined as Finance manager in September 2006. In his career as a Finance
Manager/Director he has worked for Dutch, French and German as well as British
groups, principally in the construction sector, but latterly in the not-for-profit
sector.
Lambeth Conference Co-ordinator
Angela Prior
Mrs. Angela Prior has been a member of the Cathedral Staff since 1987.
She has recently taken on the role of Lambeth Conference Co-ordinator for the Dean and Chapter.
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 Cathedral Press Officer
Christoper Robinson
Mr. Christopher Robinson is the point of contact for all press enquiries.
Head of Stained glass
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.
Director of Development
Andrew Webster
Andrew Webster is Director of Development. He advises the Dean and Chapter on ways to move the Cathedral and its activities forward.
Personnel manager
Tanya Wright
Tanya provides the Dean and Chapter with advice on employment legislation and manages the personnel, training and payroll functions.
