Latest Chapter update

Here is the latest update from Chapter, who met at the end of March:

A presentation was given by Andy Harston and Rob Senior of Madura Advisory, who have been supporting us as we prepare for a significant fundraising campaign. The presentation covered a suite of governance policies which the Cathedral will adopt, the tasks required by the Cathedral to develop the campaign and the need for the Cathedral to have a clear purpose and plan for the next ten years, communicated via an overarching message that is recognised by all.
The Church Commissioners have now approved the Cathedral’s new draft Constitution and Statutes. As part of the process to implement the Cathedrals Measure and register as a charity, the Cathedral must submit a ‘due diligence’ questionnaire, the contents of which Chapter approved.
Chapter approved the next steps to recruit three new Chapter Members, with support from recruitment advisors Green Park, as well as additional members for Enterprises and the Investment Advisory Committee
Updates were provided on Cathedral operations, the Girls' Voices project, the Whispering Gallery, recruitment for a Director of Property and the Cathedral’s external audit

Judith Fremont-Barnes appointed as new School Head

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Judith Fremont-Barnes as the new Head of St Paul's Cathedral School from September 2023.

Currently Head of Milton Abbey School, Judith will succeed Simon Larter-Evans as Head in September 2023, when Simon moves to become Principal of Tring Park School for Performing Arts.

The Dean and Vice-Chair, Robert-Jan Temmink KC, along with Chapter and the School’s governing body, were unanimous in their support of Judith’s appointment. This will be her third Headship.

Find out more

Reminder: Exhibition view for staff and volunteers

Please join us in the Crypt on Wednesday 26th April for a special preview of our new exhibition, Christopher Wren: The Quest for Knowledge before it opens to the public.

There will be refreshments from 9am before we move through to the exhibition, and we will open to visitors as usual at 10am.

We hope to see lots of you there!

Save the date

Exciting news! Please save the date for our summer party, which will take place on Friday 21st July. Times and further details will follow in due course.

What's on next week

Sunday 23rd April, 4.30pm: Organ recital with students from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Tuesday 25th April, 5pm: Sung Eucharist for the Feast of Mark the Evangelist

Thursday 27th April: Christopher Wren: The Quest for Knowledge exhibition opens today
Thursday 27th April, 7.30pm: Queen by Candlelight

Government Emergency Alert test

You may have seen in the news that the Government launched a public emergency alert system on the 19th March. Following on from this, a UK-wide test will take place at 3pm on Sunday 23rd April, which will see people receive a test message on their mobile phones.

An Emergency Alert looks and sounds very different to other types of messages such as SMS text messages. You’ll know if you get an Emergency Alert because you’ll hear a loud, siren-like sound and your phone will use a distinct vibration. A message will appear on your screen until you acknowledge it.

Here at the Cathedral, we will delay the start of Evensong by a few minutes to allow time for the message to come through.

Additionally, we would also like to share information for those at risk of domestic abuse, and who may have a mobile device hidden for when it is needed. The advice from charity Refuge is to switch off any hidden device, or place onto airplane mode for the duration of the test. Please do pass on this information to anyone who may need it.

If you would like further information about Emergency Alerts, you can download this Government factsheet, too.

A reminder about interim communications support

Following Communications Manager Pauline Stobbs' departure in January, we would just like to reiterate the message that full interim press and PR support is being provided by an external agency, which includes monitoring of the Press email account and phone number.

If you have any internal press or PR queries or requests during this time, please contact our Chancellor, Paula Gooder, and direct any public enquiries you may receive to the press@stpaulscathedral.org.uk email address.

Library storage boxes

As you will be aware from last Friday’s news, Simon Carter is offering the empty boxes that were used to store Library books on a first-come-first-served basis.

Before you collect boxes for use, please ensure that you have the space to store them until you are ready to take them home. This should also be a practical and suitable space, i.e. not blocking or near to fire exits, escape routes, or areas of high traffic.

This might mean you need to discuss a suitable space with your line manager or other colleagues first. We appreciate your cooperation with this.

And finally...

Latest podcast episode

There's a new episode of our Stories from St Paul's podcast series to enjoy!

In this latest instalment, Douglas Anderson explores our upcoming exhibition, Christopher Wren: The Quest for Knowledge.

Listen to the podcast

If you have anything to include in next week's news, please remember to email internalcomms@stpaulscathedral.org.uk by the end of Wednesday at the latest.

With very best wishes,
Laura