Who's Who at the Cathedral
Dean
The Very Rev'd Adrian Newman
Adrian was born in Watford and survived. He worked as an economist before ordination and came to the cathedral in 2005 after 20 years in parish ministry, many spent developing new ways of working with communities. As Dean he is responsible for leading the cathedral in its mission and ministry; representing the cathedral in its engagement with the wider community. He is a member of the Bishop's Senior Staff, with a variety of responsibilities across the diocese.
Archdeacon of Rochester
The Venerable Peter Lock
A residentiary member of Cathedral Chapter. Chairman, Patronage Committee; Canon Librarian (pro tem); Governor, King’s School, Rochester. Archdeacon of Rochester; Canterbury and Rochester Joint Books & Documents Committing (wearing both Archdeaconal and Canon Librarian Hats). Peter is a member of the Bishop's Senior Staff, with a variety of responsibilities across the diocese.
Canon Precentor (from June 2008)
The Rev'd Neil Thompson
Neil will oversee the cathedral's liturgy and worship. A former history teacher, Neil is married to Ruth and they have three children and seven grandchildren scattered from West Sussex and Surrey to Northumberland.
He is presently Rector of Limpsfield and Titsey, a parish stretching from the top of the North Downs to the Surrey-Kent border at Edenbridge and bisected by the M25. Before coming to Limpsfield he served in the south London parishes of Dulwich, Shooters Hill and Merton Park.
Canon Missioner
The Rev'd Canon Jean Kerr
Jean was born in Harrow-on-the-Hill, but has spent most of her life "up north". Her early working life was in banking, where she found she was more interested in people than their money! She trained as a teacher in Durham, where she met her husband Paul who was training there for ordination. Jean comes to Cathedral life having spent eight years working in Ministry and Training both as Lay Training Advisor and Warden of Evangelists. She has a passion for rock and roll, creative story telling and seeing people reach their full potential in Christ. Her role as missioner is to help the Cathedral to be continually looking out to where the activity of God's Kingdom can be discerned, and encouraging people to join in it. She is also Bishop's Officer for the department of Mission and Unity.
Canon Pastor
The Rev'd Dr Philip Hesketh
Philip spent his childhood on the "gem of God's earth", otherwise known as the Isle of Man, and came to the big city in 1983 to study Divinity at King's College, London. Before ordination he worked with the homeless in South London and served his curacy in the Diocese of Canterbury. As Canon Pastor, Philip has both a pastoral and an educational brief, with particular care and oversight of visitors and pilgrims to the Cathedral. With four young children, he has a special interest in developing the Cathedral's work with young people within the Cathedral context and wider community.
Lay Member of Cathedral Chapter
Catherine Staziker
Catherine is a non-residentiary member of Cathedral Chapter, originally from Yorkshire. Following a stockbroking career in Ireland and in the City, she acted as the Cathedral’s administrator and now works as the Cathedral’s Liturgy Music and Arts Co-ordinator. She is a member of various Cathedral committees, is a Diocesan Reader licensed to the Cathedral, and is a Vocations Adviser for the Diocese. She is a practicing potter and has a keen interest in music.
Lay Member of Cathedral Chapter
Professor Vaughan Grylls
Vaughan is a practising artist. He joined the Chapter in September 2006 having been involved through the Fabric Advisory Committee and the Cathedral Council for some time.
For nine years Vaughan was Director of the Kent Institute of Art & Design. In 2005 he became the founding Chief Executive of the University College for the Creative Arts at Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone & Rochester and at that point decided to retire from Higher Education to return full time to his own art.'
Lay Member of Cathedral Chapter
Dr Jane Broadbent
Jane (nee Craig) was born in Rochester. The eldest of four daughters, she grew up in the Medway Towns, where her parents still live. She works as an Associate Specialist Physician in Palliative Care at the Wisdom Hospice, Rochester. She is married to Hugh, who has been a Parish Priest in the Rochester Diocese for the last 29 years. They live in Bromley, where Hugh is serving in a Dual Role Ministry as Priest in Charge of St John the Evangelist, Bromley and Chaplain of St Olave’s Grammar School, Orpington. Jane and Hugh have two children, Christopher and Sarah, who are both at university. In her spare time she enjoys playing her ‘cello and vegetarian cookery.
Director of Operations
Dr Edwina Bell
Edwina is the Director of Operations for the Cathedral providing business and management support to the Cathedral Chapter with responsibility for finance, human resources, estates, fabric, administration and Rochester Cathedral Enterprises, as well as acting as Chapter Clerk and providing support to the Chapter committees. Edwina has previous management experience in the private and not- for-profit sector, as well as in education. She comes from Yorkshire and misses the hills.
Director of Music
Roger Sayer
Roger is responsible for directing the music for daily services. He trains and directs the Boys’ Choir and Senior Girls' Choir, plays the organ for services, recitals and concerts, and oversees the Girls' Choir and Cathedral Special Choir. Roger acts as Music Advisor to the Diocesan Music Committee. He arranges concerts and recitals in the Cathedral, and organizes Cathedral Choir tours, concerts and recordings. He also gives recitals and home and abroad.
Assistant Director of Music
Dan Soper
Dan is responsible for playing the organ for daily services. Dan runs and directs the Girls' Choir for most services, and occasionally directs the Boys' Choir and Senior Girls' Choir. He shares in departmental administration, including the organization of choir tours, concerts and recordings, and is responsible for the Cathedral Music Library and the Cathedral Organs.
The Michael James Organ Scholar
William Baldry
The Organ Scholarship is shared between the Cathedral and King's School, Rochester. At the Cathedral, William shares in playing the organ for daily services, and studies the organ with the Director of Music. At the school, he assists the Music Staff in Orchestras and Choirs.
Head Verger
Colin Tolhurst
Responsible for day-to-day management of the Cathedral and Precinct. Leads and manages the team of vergers and cleaners. Supervision of maintenance and building projects. Responsible for security of Cathedral and Precinct. Liturgical duties include preparation of the cathedral for services and events; care of vestments, cathedral plate and valuables. Keeping of statutory registers. Member of the Guild of Vergers.
Education Officers
Liz Simmons & Helen Bradshaw
Liz and Helen, assisted by a group of volunteers, head the Cathedral’s Education team to deliver the education service to over 17,000 visiting students each year. They are responsible for creating resources, support material and education programmes for the Cathedral. Liz is a member of the Local Authority Statutory Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) and the Rochester Diocesan Children’s Committee.
Bookings Officer
Lisa Parish
Lisa oversees the booking process for all services and events apart from school visits.
Tea Rooms Manager
Helen Bannister
The Tea Rooms are part of Rochester Cathedral Enterprises and Helen is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Tea Rooms and paid and volunteer staff.
Shop Manager
Matthew Lucas
The shop is part of Rochester Cathedral Enterprises and Matthew is responsible for the day-to-day management of the shop and staff, and the ordering of stock.
