THE next Dean of Winchester is to be Canon Chris Palmer, Downing Street announced on Monday.
Canon Palmer is currently Canon Treasurer of Exeter Cathedral, where he has served since 2018. He was Canon Chancellor until 2022.
He was ordained deacon in 1998 and priest in 1999, before serving his title at All Saints, Emscote, in Coventry diocese. In 2002, he was appointed Team Vicar of Mortlake, a post he held until 2010, during which era he was also Area Dean of Richmond and Barnes. He then served as Team Rector of Morton Priory until his move to Exeter diocese.
Canon Palmer succeeds the previous the Dean of Winchester, the Very Revd Catherine Ogle. Dean Ogle’s departure followed the unexpected resignation of the director of music, Andrew Lumsden, in 2024, which triggered allegations in regards to the management of the cathedral’s music department. Mark Byford, a senior non-executive member of Winchester Cathedral, who’s a former director-general of the BBC World Service, also resigned.
The unhappiness resulted within the commissioning by the Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Revd Philip Mounstephen, of an independent review into the cathedral’s governance (News, 18 June 2024). A summary of the review, published in March, identified “significant failings in leadership and management” (News, 7 March), at which point Dean Ogle resigned immediately, before her previously announced retirement date of 1 May. The Vice-Dean, Canon Roly Riem, took charge of implementing the review’s recommendations.
Bishop Mounstephen said on Monday that he was delighted by the successful nomination of Canon Palmer, who “brings great experience of cathedral and parish ministry, sharp intelligence, a ready wit and deep faith. We look forward very much to welcoming him and Olivia here amongst us.”
Canon Riem said: “Chris’s commitment to the Bible, spirituality, historic fabric, and to families might be very welcome as we proceed to develop the mission and ministry of this Cathedral.”
Canon Palmer will take up the position on 15 March. He said: “I even have grown to like cathedral life, and I relish the various opportunities for encounter that cathedrals offer. I trust that this has equipped me for this next ministry.”
On Monday, he met staff and congregants on the cathedral. He was also as a result of visit the homelessness charity The Beacon, and the Christmas Market within the Inner Close.
