Cathedral Life >
Lay staff of the Cathedral
A great amount of work is required to keep
Westminster Cathedral functioning, to maintain its fabric, and to host
the many special events that take place. Behind the scenes, a large team
of staff and volunteers ensures that the Cathedral is run efficiently
and safely.
Above, key members of the Cathedral staff. From
left: Neil Fairbairn, Works Manager, is concerned with the maintenance,
repair work, and additional works of the Cathedral. He is responsible
for the Cathedral maintenance department.
Sarah Powers, Facilities Manager, is charged with the daily organisation
of the Cathedral and its lay staff, and the practical side of staging
concerts, major services and other large events.
Christina White, Friends’ Manager, arranges events and programmes
for the Society of Friends. You can learn more about the Friends of the
Cathedral here.
John Daly, Commercial Manager, oversees the Cathedral’s
revenue raising operations, comprising the gift shop, tower lift, Cathedral
hall hire, and other financial undertakings.
In the Maintenance Department, Tom Botting (electrician) has the labyrinthine
task of controlling the Cathedral lighting, amplification and other wiring.
Bernie Young is in charge of regular maintenance in the Cathedral and
Clergy House - covering everything from carpentry to erecting staging
for special events.
The Clerk of Works is also the Health
and Safety Officer for the Cathedral complex.
The Cathedral Architect,
Michael Drury and Associates, standing in a distinguished pedigree headed
by John Francis Bentley, advises on conservation, all matters relating
to the finishes and furnishing of the Cathedral, as well as major works
carried out to improve the Cathedral or to comply with legislation. The
cathedral Historian,
Patrick Rogers, oversees tours and research on the complex, and the Archivist,
Miriam Power, maintains and provides access to the precious heritage of
drawings, photographs and documents in the archive.
The Sacristans
prepare for the many liturgical functions in the Cathedral, and have charge
of the conservation of vestments and utensils used in the liturgy. They
also monitor the provision of candles in the Cathedral.
The
Personal Assistant to the Administrator,
Elizabeth Arnot, has charge of the Cathedral diary and Administrator's
dairy, as well as liaising between the Administrator and outside organizations,
and acting as a source of knowledge and information essential to the running
of the Cathedral.
The Receptionists,
Sr Maureen Casey and John Stacey, provide front-line service, answering
the many personal and telephone calls to Clergy House.
The
Development Officer,
Charles Donington, is charged with fundraising for the Cathedral, and
developing strategies to improve the financial situation and build links
with parishes, schools and other agencies. The Financial
Assistant, Rosaleen Owen, keeps an eye on
Cathedral dealings, and liaises with the diocesan financial authorities.
The
Volunteers' Co-ordinator,
Mary Maxwell, not only organizes our army of volunteers (without whom
the Cathedral could not function), but also oversees Readers and Extraordinary
Ministers of Holy Communion.
The Friends' Manager
is in charge of membership, co-ordinating the work of the many Friends'
committees, and consulting with the Administrator.
The Oremus Team
and Website Team
are volunteers who produce, maintain and develop these vital publications
of Cathedral information - whose achievements win widespread admiration.
The Administrator is advised by a Finance
and Planning committee, who oversee
the financial operations and budgeting of the Cathedral: a small Commercial
sub-committee advises on the Cathedral's
money-making operations. The Cathedral
Art and Architecture Committee is an
advisory body comprising architects, conservators and artists, who advise
on the decoration and physical improvement of the Cathedral. The Complex
Committee deals with practical and maintenance
matters covering the Cathedral, Choir School and Archbishop's House; while
the Fire/Health and Safety Committee
considers upgrading and maintaining the fire systems and compliance with
new Health and Safety legislation.
Westminster Cathedral 42 Francis Street, London SW1P 1QW United Kingdom
Email us Tel: 020 7798 9055 Fax: 020 7798 9090 Registered Charity Number 233699
