Diocesan Press Release

New Vice-Provost for Southwark - Bishop's aide to move to Cathedral

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 31 March 1999

The Rev Andrew Nunn, Chaplain to the Bishop of Southwark since 1995, is to be Vice-Provost of Southwark Cathedral from this summer. He will replace the Rev Canon Roy White, who has recently announced his retirement due to poor health.

Andrew Nunn, 41, has worked closely with Roy White in planning diocesan ceremonies, and is very familiar with the Cathedral's layout and routines. He has also been an Honorary Priest Vicar of the Cathedral, taking occasional weekday services. As Vice-Provost he will be deputy to the Provost, the Very Rev Colin Slee, and will oversee the day to day running of the Cathedral and its services and take particular responsibility for special events. He was Chaplain to Bishop Roy Williamson until his retirement in January 1998, and has served Bishop Tom Butler since his appointment in March 1998.

Andrew Nunn grew up and went to school in Leicester, moving on to Leeds University. He trained for the ministry at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, West Yorkshire, and was ordained in 1983. He then served in two parishes in Ripon Diocese in addition to being a school chaplain for five years. His last post in Ripon was as Vicar of Richmond Hill, Leeds, 1991-95. His main interests in his priestly ministry are liturgy and education. He has served on the Liturgical Committees of both Ripon and Southwark Dioceses and was a governor of various schools in Leeds.

The Provost commented: "I am delighted by Andrew Nunn's appointment. He has the musical and liturgical skills we need, a proven ability as a team player, and an excellent record as an administrator with pastoral sensitivity."

Andrew says "I am very excited at the prospect of joining the Cathedral, especially with the new millennium approaching. The ancient Cathedral with its Thameside position will be a landmark participant in the millennium celebrations, and it is also undergoing extensive restoration and development of new facilities for worshippers and visitors."

The Rt Rev Tom Butler, Bishop of Southwark, paid this tribute to Andrew: "I can think of nobody better equipped to take on the responsibility as Vice-Provost at the Cathedral, and I am not surprised that his appointment has been widely welcomed."

The Rev Canon Roy White, who will be 65 later this year, was installed as an Honorary Canon in February 1985 and as Canon Residentiary and Vice-Provost of Southwark in February 1992. He served much of his ministry in Croydon, which was until 1985 in Canterbury Diocese. After National Service in the Royal Air Force he worked for Barclays Bank before training for the priesthood at Sarum Theological College. Ordained in 1965, he served his title at St John the Divine Selsdon, moving to Sheffield Diocese in 1968 as Curate-in-Charge of St Columba Crosspool. In 1972 he returned to Croydon as Vicar of St Andrew's. In 1978 he founded and became the first Director of the Archbishop Coggan Training & Service Centre (the ACTS Centre) which is now closed. In 1985 he became Diocesan Director of Christian Stewardship, and later of Communications and Resources.

Commenting on his time at the Cathedral, Canon White said:"I have much enjoyed my time here and have witnessed many exciting changes. I am delighted that Andrew Nunn, with whom I have worked closely in recent years, is to succeed me."

The Provost added: "Roy White took on a huge job when he came here. The job has changed and the number of events and special services multiplied significantly. The Cathedral, and the thousands of people whom he has helped, are greatly indebted to him."

Ends.