The Rev Canon Chris Palmer, currently serving as Canon Treasurer at Exeter Cathedral, has been appointed the subsequent Dean of Winchester, Downing Street has announced.
Canon Palmer joined Exeter Cathedral in 2018 as Canon Chancellor, overseeing pastoral care, mission, and Christian nurture and education. In 2022 he became Canon Treasurer, taking responsibility for the cathedral constructing and its development.
Alongside his chapter duties, he has been lively in the broader civic and diocesan community and has continued to pursue his passion for theological education, supporting clergy and ordinands in training.
The Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen, Bishop of Winchester, welcomed the appointment with warmth and enthusiasm.
“I’m delighted that Canon Chris Palmer has accepted the nomination to be the subsequent Dean of Winchester,” he said.
“He 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.”
Reflecting on his forthcoming move, Canon Palmer expressed deep gratitude for his years at Exeter Cathedral.
“I actually have hugely enjoyed and grown through my time in Exeter, and can miss the cathedral and its people enormously,” he said.
“I’m deeply grateful to the entire of Exeter Cathedral community. But I’m also relishing a next adventure in Winchester, and attending to know its cathedral and diocese. I value your prayers as I prepare for this move.”
The Very Rev Jonathan Greener, Dean of Exeter, offered heartfelt praise for Canon Palmer’s contributions and affirmed the importance of his recent appointment.
“What an incredible role for Chris to be moving to,” he commented.
“He’s done marvellous things for us here at Exeter Cathedral, not least in leading on our recent major constructing works, and we were well aware that in some unspecified time in the future the broader Church would discover about him and have the desire to make use of his wide-ranging talents and extraordinary energy.
“Winchester can be very blessed to have him. We shall all miss him hugely, but he and Olivia go along with our love and our prayers and deep gratitude.”
Canon Palmer’s final Sunday at Exeter Cathedral can be 1 March 2026, marking the conclusion of eight years of dedicated ministry and repair.
 The Rev Canon Chris Palmer, currently serving as Canon Treasurer at Exeter Cathedral, has been appointed the subsequent Dean of Winchester, Downing...){kind=link}