New national officer appointed to support Cathedrals

30/11/2017

The National Church Institutions have created a new role of Cathedrals Liaison Officer to offer more coordinated support at national level for the vital mission and ministry of England’s cathedrals. Natasha Dyer, currently a Stakeholder Engagement Officer at the Royal College of Physicians, has been appointed and will start at the beginning of December.

Commenting on Natasha’s appointment, Dr Jacqui Phillips, Clerk to the Synod and Director of Central Secretariat of the Archbishops’ Council, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Natasha as Cathedrals Liaison Officer. She will act as a central point of coordination of the different parts of the National Church Institutions working on cathedral matters and she will also promote the network of relationships between the NCIs, cathedrals and dioceses.”

The cross-disciplinary post has been created in part as a recognition of the growing national profile of cathedrals and their success in attracting increasing numbers of worshippers and visitors and the need better to assist them in key areas of finance, heritage management, human resources and safeguarding.

Working with colleagues at national level and in cathedrals and dioceses the Cathedrals Liaison officer will play a key role in co-ordinating and helping with the implementation of any recommendations arising out of the Cathedrals Working Group. This is due to report at the end of 2017 to the Archbishops’ Council ahead of consultation in January. They will attend cathedral-related events and meetings in the National Church Institutions and also meetings of the Association of English Cathedrals, Deans’ Conference and meetings of other key cathedral groups to help build greater collaboration between the NCIs and these groups.

Commenting on her new position, Natasha Dyer, said: “There’s a lot of overlap between the work I’ve done with the Royal College of Physicians and what is needed here so I’m excited about bringing what I’ve learned so far to the role and making it my own.

“In my previous role I focused on engaging with core stakeholder groups who actively work on behalf of the RCP to further its long-term goals. My role with these groups was to make them feel supported, valued and improve working relationships.

“I am really looking forward to working in a new sector, meeting new people and having a fresh challenge. I am looking forward to visiting cathedrals and learning about how the NCIs can help to support them.”