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Meet the Chapter

Durham Cathedral is governed by the Chapter and the College of Canons.

Meet our members of Chapter

Dean of Durham

The Very Revd Dr Philip Plyming

As the Dean of Durham, Philip chairs the Chapter and leads on strategy and direction of the cathedral. Prior to becoming Dean, Philip was Warden at Cranmer Hall, St John College, where he taught New Testament and Christian Leadership. Philip studied German and Russian at Cambridge University followed by Theology at Durham University. He served is curacy at Christ Church in Chineham, before getting ordained as a priest in 2002. In October 2023, Philip's book was published, Being Real: The Apostle Paul's Hardship Narratives And The Stories We Tell Today.


Contact: dean@durhamcathedral.co.uk

Senior Non-Executive Member of Chapter

Canon Paul Chandler

Canon Paul Chandler was appointed Vice Chair of Chapter in September 2023. Following an early career in banking, Paul served as General Secretary of the mission agency and publisher SPCK from 1992-2001, and led the fair trade organisation Traidcraft from 2001-12. Paul is currently a director of The Co-operative Group, and serves as trustee of a wide range of charities.

Vice Dean & Precentor

The Revd Canon Michael Hampel

As Precentor of Durham Cathedral, Canon Hampel is the priest who leads on worship. Prior to arriving in Durham as Vice Dean & Precentor at St Paul’s Cathedral. He comes from Stratford upon Avon but knows Durham well, having completed both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Durham University. His previous ministry includes being a curate at St Paul’s Parish Church, Spennymoor, County Durham, and from 1997 to 2002 he was a Minor Canon at Durham Cathedral and then a senior tutor at St Chad’s College, Durham University.

Contact: michael.hampel@durhamcathedral.co.uk  

Chapter Clerk & Chief Operating Officer

Guy Sampson

Guy acts as Chapter Clerk, and is responsible for the day to day operation of Durham Cathedral, and supporting Chapter in leading the organisation. Prior to his role at Durham Cathedral, Guy was a Director in Savills, specialising in rural land and business management. Guy grew up on a farm in Yorkshire and studied History and Ancient History at Leicester University and graduated with a First Class degree in 2008. Following his degree, he obtained a masters in Rural Environment and Land Management and later qualified as a chartered surveyor in 2011.

Contact: guy.sampson@durhamcathedral.co.uk 

Tel: 07523 269556

Canon Chancellor

The Revd Canon Charlie Allen

Canon Allen’s duties centre on public engagement between the cathedral and the wider community. She leads on Christian stewardship, welcome and pastoral care for all those who visit and worship at the cathedral. Prior to arriving at Durham in summer 2018, she held a post in the Diocese of Salisbury as Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Coordinator for Initial Ministerial Education. Charlie grew up in Sunderland, and studied at Durham University as an undergraduate, ahead of training for ordination at Westcott House, Cambridge.

Contact: charlie.allen@durhamcathedral.co.uk

Canon Pastor

The Revd Canon Michael Everitt

As Canon Pastor, Michael cares for the worshipping congregation of the cathedral and oversees the work of the cathedral’s education and library & collections teams, as well as heading up the cathedral’s student ministry with both higher education and further education institutions.

Prior to his post at Durham, Micheal was a priest in the Diocese of Blackburn, serving as Archdeacon of Lancaster and an Honorary Canon of Blackburn Cathedral. A graduate of Kings College London, Michael trained for ministry at Queen’s College Birmingham and the English College in Rome. He then served as a curate in Cleveleys, near Blackpool, ahead of a three year secondment to Bloemfontein Cathedral, working in cross-community areas in post-apartheid South Africa. At this time he was the first non-Dutch reformed lecturer in theology at the University of the Orange Free State.

Contact: michael.everitt@durhamcathedral.co.uk

Van Mildert Professor of Divinity, Durham University & Residentiary Canon

The Revd Canon Prof Simon Oliver

William Van Mildert, Bishop of Durham from 1826 to 1836, played a pivotal role in the formation of Durham University when it was founded by Durham Cathedral in 1832. As such, the Van Mildert Professorship of Divinity is one of Durham University’s oldest Chairs.

The holder is both a Professor at Durham University and Residentiary Canon of Durham Cathedral, and thus represents the historic link between the two institutions. As Van Mildert Professor, Simon Oliver teaches and researches in the area of Christian doctrine and philosophical theology whilst playing a full role in the governance and liturgical life of the cathedral, contributing to the ministries of education and formation.

Contact: simon.oliver@durham.ac.uk

Lay Member of Chapter

Canon Dr Maria Cockerill

Maria has been a Lay Member of the Chapter since 2020. Her connection to the cathedral dates back to 2015 as a member of the Cathedral Council and the Audit & Risk Committee. Maria supports the wellbeing of the cathedral in all its activities, primarily via governance, having a finance and education background, including established participation in Higher Education institutions and Local Government within the North East of England.

Contact: Les Webster, Governance & Business Support - leslie.webster@durhamcathedral.co.uk

Tel: 0191 375 5255

Lay Member of Chapter

Canon Jonathan Ward

Jonathan joined the Cathedral Chapter in 2021, and plays a particular role in supporting the Visitor Experience and Enterprise operations at the cathedral. He also works as the Commercial Director at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, and is Churchwarden of St James Church, Hamsterley.

Contact: Les Webster, Governance & Business Support - leslie.webster@durhamcathedral.co.uk 

Tel: 0191 375 5255

Lay Member of Chapter

Canon Professor Stefanie Sheen

Stefanie is one of the newest members of Chapter. She was installed in October at a special service.  Stefanie is a Professor of Organization Studies within Durham University Business School and is also a member of the worshipping community here at Durham Cathedral.

Contact: Les Webster, Governance & Business Support - leslie.webster@durhamcathedral.co.uk

Tel: 0191 375 5255

Lay Member of Chapter

Canon Dr Apollo Tutesigensi

Apollo recently joined Chapter in October 2024. He is Associate Professor in the School of Civil Engineering in the University of Leeds and is also a member of Durham Cathedral's worshipping community.

Contact: Les Webster, Governance & Business Support - leslie.webster@durhamcathedral.co.uk

Tel: 0191 375 5255

Canon Treasurer

Alice Ambrose-Thurman joined Chapter in 2025 as a non-executive member. Alice holds the position of Canon Treasurer, the member of Chapter with specific trustee responsibility for oversight of Cathedral finances, and chair of the Finance Committee. Alice is also an active member of the Durham Cathedral worshipping congregation.

A chartered accountant and chartered company secretary by profession, Alice’s recent career has seen her working in senior leadership positions in the North-East automotive sector. Alice is Director and Company Secretary of Faltec Europe, an automotive manufacturing company based in Sunderland.

Alice is currently undertaking a doctorate at Durham Business School, researching neurodiversity and female leadership.

Contact: Les Webster, Governance & Business Support - leslie.webster@durhamcathedral.co.uk

Tel: 0191 375 5255

Annual Report and Accounts

Download Durham Cathedral's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024

Download report