Diocesan Press Release

New Diocesan Secretary for Southwark

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4 June 1998

Simon Parton, 42, has been appointed as the Diocesan Secretary for the Diocese of Southwark. He succeeds Martin Cawte who left in February to return to his career in local government.

Simon is no stranger to the Diocese having lived for much of his early life in Esher, Surrey. He has been Southwark's Diocesan Accountant since 1986 taking on the extra responsibilities of Deputy Diocesan Secretary in 1988.

Following a varied career in banking and the organ industry Simon arrived in Southwark from a post in Holland where he was General Manager of a company which manufactured organs.

He now lives in the Guildford Diocese where he spends what little spare time he has playing the organ in his local church and in churches around the Diocese, and gardening. He is married with two daughters.

Bishop Wilfred, the Commissary of Southwark Diocese who was Chair of the search committee which appointed the new Secretary, says that they were delighted to appoint Simon who, he says, will bring a great deal of experience and ideas to his new post. Simon is excited to be taking on his new role. He says, "I believe that my varied commercial and banking experience will help me in this role, there's lots to do and I'm looking forward to continuing to work with the parishes in Southwark as we move into the new Millennium".

Ends.