News

In June this year, the Bishop of Winchester commissioned a review of Winchester Cathedral under the terms of the Cathedrals’ Measure 2021. Bishop Philip appointed Patti Russell of Winckworth Sherwood, a highly experienced ecclesiastical lawyer with expertise both in the area of cathedral governance and leadership and HR matters, to conduct the review on his behalf and to assist him in identifying a co-reviewer. In August, the Very Revd Jane Hedges, former Dean of Norwich, joined Patti to co-lead the Review, bringing considerable experience in cathedral leadership and governance.

The Review Team has interviewed over 45 people including three external musical experts. The majority of these interviews have been conducted face to face during August and September, with follow-up conversations via Zoom where necessary. In addition to the interviews, the Review Team has considered over 140 written submissions which have been followed up as appropriate.

The Bishop has been clear throughout that the Review must be thorough, focusing specifically on the Terms of Reference, namely:

To conduct a review and make recommendations to the Bishop concerning:
1) The leadership and management of the Cathedral’s choirs to include consideration of recent HR decision making and communications;
2) The culture and behaviours of the Chapter and Cathedral and the extent to which this affects Cathedral operations, specifically in relation to the Cathedral’s choirs;
3) Cathedral decision making processes and, in particular, the processes by which the Chapter manages risk and critical issues;
4) Governance structures and the efficacy of leadership at Chapter level.

While it was initially felt that a three-month deadline for the completion of the report was possible, the level of engagement from interested parties and the need for rigour has meant that the team is only now concluding follow-up interviews, with an expectation of writing their report during November and December.

In accordance with the draft Church Commissioners’ Guidance, the report will be confidential to the Bishop. Once he has received it, it will be necessary for him to take some time to digest its contents before producing conclusions and recommendations for Chapter. The Bishop will also make a summary of his conclusions and recommendations public.

Bishop Philip says: “While this review has taken a little longer than expected, in accordance with my direction, Patti and Jane have conducted this review with thoroughness and sensitivity, which has necessarily taken time. I look forward to receiving their report, and have confidence that their recommendations will enable Winchester Cathedral to move forward into a more settled future.”

Winchester Cathedral Chapter welcomes Bishop Mounstephen’s Review. We are committed to fully engaging in the process, and implementing any recommendations made by Bishop Philip.

Following the recent appointment of a co-reviewer, The Very Reverend Jane Hedges, to assist Patti Russell, in-person interviews are being organised by the reviewers throughout September and beyond to meet key cathedral staff.  The people whom the reviewers wish to see and in which order is their decision, but should you feel it is important that your views are taken into account and you have not been contacted in the next month or so, be assured that the reviewers are keen to hear from anyone who feels they can contribute. Please contact them on the email address which has previously been shared: winchesterreview@wslaw.co.uk

The Very Reverend Jane Hedges has been appointed as co-reviewer of Bishop Philip’s Review of Winchester Cathedral. Jane is highly experienced in Cathedral ministry and governance, having having served as Dean of Norwich (2014-2022) and Interim Dean of both Canterbury and Newcastle Cathedrals.

Please see the updated Privacy Notice below.

On 18 June, Bishop Philip announced that he would be commissioning a Review of Winchester Cathedral under the terms of the Cathedrals’ Measure 2021. This measure states that: “the bishop may commission a review of such aspects of the cathedral’s financial affairs, governance, management, operations or mission as the bishop considers necessary or appropriate.”

Patti Russell of Winckworth Sherwood, a highly experienced ecclesiastical lawyer with expertise both in the area of cathedral governance and leadership and HR matters, will be conducting the Review on the Bishop’s behalf.

The Terms of Reference for the Review are as follows:

To conduct a review and make recommendations to the Bishop concerning:
1) The leadership and management of the Cathedral’s choirs to include consideration of recent HR decision making and communications;
2) The culture and behaviours of the Chapter and Cathedral and the extent to which this affects Cathedral operations, specifically in relation to the Cathedral’s choirs;
3) Cathedral decision making processes and, in particular, the processes by which the Chapter manages risk and critical issues;
4) Governance structures and the efficacy of leadership at Chapter level.

The methodology for the review includes the following:
1) The review is to be carried out in accordance with applicable Church Commissioners’ Guidance on the Bishop’s Review under the Cathedrals Measure 2021.
2) The review should engage with relevant stakeholders including the Cathedral’s clerical leaders, the Senior Leadership Team, current and previous members of the Chapter, current and previous members of the music department, the Cathedral’s communications advisor and HR advisor and parents of choristers.
3) The review should be conducted expeditiously, aiming to produce a draft report within 3 months of commencement.
4) As set out in the draft Church Commissioners’ Guidance, the final report is to be confidential to the Bishop, however the Bishop must provide the Chapter with a report setting out any conclusions or recommendations resulting from the review and a copy of this report should be provided to the Church Commissioners.
5) In accordance with the draft Guidance, it is not intended that the report is to be a public document although key recommendations from the report may be communicated publicly at the Bishop’s discretion upon seeking legal advice.
6) The Chapter must have due regard to the conclusions reached and recommendations made by the Bishop’s review.

Read Patti Russell’s full Letter to the Cathedral Community >>>

Read the Privacy Notice explaining why and how personal data is processed >>>

Bishop Mounstephen has shared more details of the Review which will be carried out by Patti Russell an independent ecclesiastical lawyer. Please find the announcement, below.
Winchester Cathedral welcomes the Review and remains committed to fully engaging in the process and implementing the recommendations.

On 18 June, Bishop Philip announced that he would be commissioning a Review of Winchester Cathedral under the terms of the Cathedrals’ Measure 2021. This measure states that: “the bishop may commission a review of such aspects of the cathedral’s financial affairs, governance, management, operations or mission as the bishop considers necessary or appropriate.”

Patti Russell of Winckworth Sherwood, a highly experienced ecclesiastical lawyer with expertise both in the area of cathedral governance and leadership and HR matters, will be conducting the Review on the Bishop’s behalf.

The Terms of Reference for the Review are as follows:

To conduct a review and make recommendations to the Bishop concerning:
1) The leadership and management of the Cathedral’s choirs to include consideration of recent HR decision making and communications;
2) The culture and behaviours of the Chapter and Cathedral and the extent to which this affects Cathedral operations, specifically in relation to the Cathedral’s choirs;
3) Cathedral decision making processes and, in particular, the processes by which the Chapter manages risk and critical issues;
4) Governance structures and the efficacy of leadership at Chapter level.

The methodology for the review includes the following:
1) The review is to be carried out in accordance with applicable Church Commissioners’ Guidance on the Bishop’s Review under the Cathedrals Measure 2021.
2) The review should engage with relevant stakeholders including the Cathedral’s clerical leaders, the Senior Leadership Team, current and previous members of the Chapter, current and previous members of the music department, the Cathedral’s communications advisor and HR advisor and parents of choristers.
3) The review should be conducted expeditiously, aiming to produce a draft report within 3 months of commencement.
4) As set out in the draft Church Commissioners’ Guidance, the final report is to be confidential to the Bishop, however the Bishop must provide the Chapter with a report setting out any conclusions or recommendations resulting from the review and a copy of this report should be provided to the Church Commissioners.
5) In accordance with the draft Guidance, it is not intended that the report is to be a public document although key recommendations from the report may be communicated publicly at the Bishop’s discretion upon seeking legal advice.
6) The Chapter must have due regard to the conclusions reached and recommendations made by the Bishop’s review.

Read Patti Russell’s full Letter to the Cathedral Community >>>

Read the Privacy Notice explaining why and how personal data is processed >>>

In a statement, Bishop Philip said: “Whilst the Review will of course focus on areas which have been the subject of public concern, it is important to stress that its aim is primarily pastoral. The recommendations which it gives me will, I trust, enable Winchester Cathedral to move into a more settled future in which it continues to offer worship to God of the highest quality, and to act as a sign of his welcome and love to all who enter into it. After a very difficult and painful period I would ask all those concerned to approach the work of the review with grace and trust so that together we can play our part in ensuring the Cathedral enters into that positive and fruitful future.”

On 18 June, I announced that I would be commissioning a Review of Winchester Cathedral under the terms of the Cathedrals’ Measure 2021. This measure states that: “the bishop may commission a review of such aspects of the cathedral’s financial affairs, governance, management, operations or mission as the bishop considers necessary or appropriate.”  I am now pleased to confirm that Patti Russell of Winckworth Sherwood, a highly experienced ecclesiastical lawyer with expertise both in the area of cathedral governance and leadership and HR matters, will be conducting the Review on my behalf.

The precise terms and scope of the Review are now being finalised. However, whilst the Review will of course focus on areas which have been the subject of public concern, it is important to stress that its aim is primarily pastoral. The recommendations which it gives me will, I trust, enable Winchester Cathedral to move into a more settled future in which it continues to offer worship to God of the highest quality, and to act as a sign of his welcome and love to all who enter into it. After a very difficult and painful period I would ask all those concerned to approach the work of the review with grace and trust so that together we can play our part in ensuring the Cathedral enters into that positive and fruitful future.

Winchester Cathedral welcomes Bishop Mounstephen’s Review. We are committed to fully engaging in the process, which will be conducted for the Bishop by an independent third party.

We appreciate the Bishop’s support and share a desire to quickly understand and address any concerns related to our culture, management, or governance — particularly in light of the recent concerns around the management of the much-loved choral tradition. We recognise that trust in the Cathedral’s leadership is essential for a healthy and flourishing church and see a review as an opportunity to work towards that end goal.

With the news of his resignation, we also want to thank Mark Byford for his dedicated service as Senior Non-Executive Member of Chapter at Winchester Cathedral over the past seven years. His contribution to the cathedral has been invaluable. We wish him every blessing for the future and will soon share plans to ensure we can honour his contribution.