Cathedral Clergy
Dean John Dobson
Dean John is the senior member of our residentiary clergy and leads the Chapter, the governing body of the cathedral church. Dean John oversees the ministry and mission of Ripon Cathedral. He can be contacted on deanjohn@riponcathedral.org.uk
Canon Ailsa Newby
Canon Ailsa joins the team as Canon Pastor, responsible for the pastoral care of the parish. She can be contacted on canonailsa@riponcathedral.org.uk.
Canon Michael Gisbourne
Canon Michael is the most recent addition to the team as Cathedral Precentor. As such he is responsible for the worship, music and liturgy across the whole Cathedral. He can be contacted on canonmichael@riponcathedral.org.uk.
Canon Barry Pyke
Responsible for developing the cathedral’s presence and influence in the region with rural and military communities through outreach, support and celebration. Canon Barry leads the Cathedral’s education department and is responsible for its development and resourcing. He can be contacted on canonbarry@riponcathedral.org.uk.
The Cathedral Office is located in the Old Courthouse, on the opposite side of Minster Road to the Cathedral and on the main walkway between the city car park and the Cathedral. The Cathedral Office is the administrative hub of the Cathedral, where a range of staff including the Development Trust (RCDT), are based.
The Office is open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, and is the first port of call for all general enquiries about everything going on at the Cathedral, including initial enquiries about baptisms, weddings or booking the Cathedral for events.
Julia Barker, Director of Operations
Julia is the senior layperson at Ripon Cathedral and responsible for managing the day to day operations of the cathedral .
Email: juliabarker@riponcathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01765 603462
Victoria Richardson, Parish Administrator
Victoria is the first point of contact for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals.
Tel 01765 603462
Email: victoriarichardson@
Judith Bustard, Dean’s PA
Email: judithbustard@riponcathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01765 643860
Anne Groves, Finance Manager
Anne oversees the financial affairs of the Chapter.
Email: annegroves@riponcathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01765 643862
Fiona Gillies, Cathedral Secretary
Fiona is the first point of contact for bookings.
Email: fionagillies@riponcathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01765 603462
Communications Department
Michelle Gee, Communications Officer
Michelle is responsible for the cathedral’s communication outlets
Email: michellegee@riponcathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01765 603462
Joseph Priestley, Marketing Officer
Joe is responsible for marketing the cathedral as a tourist destination and a place of worship
Email: joepriestley@riponcathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01765 603462
The Music Department
The Music Department is responsible for providing music at the Cathedral’s daily services. In addition, it organises concerts and various other musical events in Ripon and further afield.
Interim Director of Music
Peter Wright
Email: peterwright@riponcathedral.org.uk
Tracey Kendrick, Music Outreach Coordinator
Tracey delivers singing in schools across the Ripon area and leads the Junior and Youth Choirs.
Email: traceykendrick@riponcathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01765 603496
Tim Harper, Assistant Director of Music
Tim plays the organ at most services and assists in all aspects of the musical life of the Cathedral.
Email: timharper@riponcathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01765 603496
Tom Coxhead, Assistant Organist
Tom assists the department in all aspect for the musical life of the Cathedral.
Email: tomcoxhead@riponcathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01765 603496
Matt Lennox, Vocal coach
Email: mattlennox@riponcathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01765 603496
Ripon Cathedral Development Trust
Margaret Hammond, Campaign Manager
Margaret heads up the Development Trust, which is tasked with raising funds for major projects within the Cathedral.
Email: margarethammond@riponcathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01765 603583
Georgina Melvin, Fundraising Events Officer
Works with Margaret and oversees the organisation of fundraising events.
Email: georginamelvin@riponcathedral.org.uk
Phone: 01765 603583
Vergers
The Chapter House is situated within the Cathedral. It serves both as the ‘vestry’, where the clergy prepare for services, and it is also where the vergers have their base.
The vergers play an important role in the running of services and events at the Cathedral. As well as assisting the clergy in the conduct of public worship, the vergers also have a particular responsibility for the security of the building and the safety of all who visit.
Another important aspect of their work is the staging of the many events that take place, and ensuring everything runs smoothly on a day to day basis.
You can contact any of the Cathedral’s vergers by calling the Chapter House on 01765 602072
Charlie Brown, Head Verger
Email: charliebrown@riponcathedral.org.uk
Gail McMillan, Verger
Email: gailmcmillan@riponcathedral.org.uk
Phil Bustard, Verger
Email: philipbustard@riponcathedral.org.uk
Roger Taylor, Verger
Email: rogertaylor@riponcathedral.org.uk
Ben Frank, Verger
Email: benfrank@riponcathedral.org.uk
Other Staff
Lynn Shaw, Retail Manager
Lynn runs the Cathedral Giftshop and oversees the staff and volunteers who assist there.
Phone: 01765 601347
Gail Elstob, Cathedral Cleaner
Gail makes sure that the Cathedral is kept clean and tidy on a daily basis, and also helps in the giftshop.
Email: gailelstob@riponcathedral.org.uk
Tim Lee, Cathedral Groundsman
Tim looks after the Cathedral grounds and properties, as well as maintenance within the Cathedral building itself.
Email: timlee@riponcathedral.org.uk