

The Dean of Chelmsford
Jessica Martin grew up in the Surrey commuter town of Woking. She studied literature at university, which she later taught at Trinity College in Cambridge. Following her ordination in 2004 she served as a priest alongside her life as a lecturer, until 2010 when she became the vicar of three country parishes in South Cambridgeshire. Her southern most church was just two hundred yards away from the Essex border. Gradually taking on other responsibilities, Jessica served on the Bishop of Ely’s senior staff and contributed to the Church of England’s ongoing reflections on sexuality. In 2016 she became a Canon of Ely Cathedral, with special responsibility for learning. During 2024 she was one of the two theological advisers to the bishops of the Church of England. She became Dean of Chelmsford in January 2025.
She has written two religious books (as well as some academic ones): Holiness and Desire, which is about sacred and profane loves and how they fit together and which was longlisted for the Michael Ramsey Prize, and The Eucharist in Four Dimensions, about the way that Holy Communion uses place and space and time.
She plays the oboe and the piano, and is married to the writer Francis Spufford. She has two daughters, Stella and Theodora.
Rev’d Canon Kate Moore
Canon for Education and Safeguarding
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Canon for Education and Safeguarding
Rev’d Canon Sebastian Harries
Cathedral Precentor
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Cathedral Precentor
Rev’d Olivia Maxfield-Coote
Associate Priest
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Associate Priest
The Chapter of Chelmsford Cathedral is responsible for all aspects of the strategic leadership and governance of the Cathedral.
Chapter comprises the Dean, the Residentiary Canons and a number of additional non-executive lay people appointed as set out in the Cathedral's governing documents known as its Constitution and Statutes, one of whom acts as the Senior Non Executive Member (SNEM) who is the Vice Chair. The Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Finance Officer also attend Chapter meetings.
The operational management of the Cathedral is enabled by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) chaired by the Chief Operating Officer and comprising the Dean, the Residentiary Canons and the Director of Finance. Other senior members of staff may also be invited to attend SLT meetings.
The Very Revd Dr Jessica Martin
Dean of Chelmsford
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Dean of Chelmsford
Dr Elizabeth Henry
Senior Non-Executive Member of Chapter
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Senior Non-Executive Member of Chapter
Lorna Quinn
Non-Executive Member of Chapter responsible for Safeguarding
Non-Executive Member of Chapter responsible for Safeguarding
Rev’d Canon Sebastian Harries
Cathedral Precentor
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Cathedral Precentor
Dawn Weddell
Non-Executive Member of Chapter
Non-Executive Member of Chapter
Adedamola Aboaba
Non-Executive Member of Chapter
Non-Executive Member of Chapter
Robert Eveleigh
Non-Executive Member of Chapter
Non-Executive Member of Chapter
Andrew Copp
Non-Executive Member of Chapter
Non-Executive Member of Chapter
Valerie Anderson
Non-Executive Member of Chapter
Non-Executive Member of Chapter
Emma Gibbins
Director of Music
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Director of Music
Samuel Bristow
Assistant Director of Music
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Assistant Director of Music
Logan Williamson
Organ Scholar
Organ Scholar
Samantha Lindsay
Chorister Welfare Assistant
Chorister Welfare Assistant
Paula Langford
Choir Welfare Assistant
Choir Welfare Assistant
Justine Horseman Sewell
Chief Operating Officer
01245 294486
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Chief Operating Officer
David Edgar
Chief Finance Officer
01245 294488
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Chief Finance Officer
Marion Palmer
EA to the Dean & COO
01245 294497
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EA to the Dean & COO
Georgia Coote
Communications and Marketing Assistant
01245 294498
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Communications and Marketing Assistant
Charlotte Laurence
Children and Families Worker
01245 294485
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Children and Families Worker
Bethany Shordon
Events Manager
01245 294470
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Events Manager
Samantha Hughes
Temporary Assistant
01245 294480
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Temporary Assistant
Charlotte Chotai
Chapter House Venue Manager
01245 294499
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Chapter House Venue Manager
Call 01245 252429 or send an email to the Vergers.
Head Verger
Verger
Verger
Verger
Cathedral Wardens and Deputy Wardens represent members of the congregation in matters of the day-to-day operation of the Cathedral. Our role is to support all those involved in taking forward the work and mission of the Cathedral including clergy and lay staff.
Send an email to the wardens: wardens@chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk
Cathedral Warden
I have been a member of the Cathedral congregation almost all my life and I am particularly involved in music here. I want to see the Cathedral and its congregation grow together into the future.
Cathedral Warden
I have been attending the Cathedral for over ten years. My main interest and responsibility is the Family and Children’s work, particularly the work of Junior Church. I also want everyone who comes through our doors to feel welcome and valued.
Cathedral Warden
I focus on supporting all those who make everyone who comes to worship at the Cathedral feel welcome, safe and at ease.
Deputy Cathedral Warden
I am Elizabeth, and very interested in welcoming children to the Cathedral and making that experience as positive and encouraging as possible.
Deputy Cathedral Warden
Deputy Cathedral Warden
I am a chorister parent, and I feel like I've found a home in the Cathedral. I volunteered because it will be nice to help and make this house a welcoming home for others, too.