The process of appointing a new Dean of Worcester continues to move forward with confirmation of the names of those who will sit on the panel.
The panel for appointing each Dean is always chaired by a lay member of a church in the Diocese who has wide and senior experience in public life. Lord (Anthony) Hughes of Ombersley, a retired Supreme Court judge, will chair the panel for Worcester. The other members are Bishop John, the Dean of another cathedral, a lay member of Bishop’s Council, a member of the Cathedral’s College of Canons and a representative of the Cathedral Chapter. The Prime Minister’s Appointments Secretary, representing the Crown, and the Archbishops’ Secretary for Appointments (or a deputy) are non-voting members.
The panel will meet in late January to agree a role specification, ahead of which time consultations will have been held with representatives of the wider Cathedral community and the Diocese. The Cathedral Chapter and the Bishop also each produce a document outlining the challenges facing the cathedral and the qualities they would like to see in the next Dean.
The post of Dean of Worcester will then be advertised and the panel meet to shortlist candidates in mid-March. Interviews will be held in early May and an appointment announced as soon as possible after that.
Bishop John said:
“Please continue to pray for the process of appointing a new Dean of Worcester and for all the members of the panel as we meet. This is a crucial appointment in the Diocese and it is very important to know that people in all of our churches are praying.”
Members of the panel:
- Lord Anthony Hughes - Chair
- The Rt Revd Dr John Inge - Bishop of Worcester
- The Very Revd David Monteith - Cathedral Representative (Dean of Canterbury Cathedral)
- Revd Canon David Nichol - College of Canons Representative
- Ms Harriet Chimani - Bishop’s Council Representative
- Canon Dr David Bryer - Chapter Representative
Non Voting
- Mrs Helen Dimmock, MBE - Crown Ecclesiastical Secretary
- Mr David Wicksteed - Appointments and Vocations Adviser