On Sunday, 27 September, four individuals were installed as Honorary Canons at Bristol Cathedral during Choral Evensong. They join both lay and ordained people as members of the College of Canons, which is a body appointed by the Bishop to play a part in the governance of the Cathedral and to act as ‘ambassadors’ in forging links with the wider Diocese and its churches.
Lay people who have been appointed as members of Chapter are designated as Capitular Canons, a title which suggests something of their role as part of the body which acts as the collective head of the Cathedral. Each Canon brings particular skills, expertise and wisdom to the role; their appointment is both recognition of their Christian leadership and service, and also an opportunity to play a part in the mission and ministry of the Cathedral in a special way.
New Capitular Canons
Annie Archer: Annie is a lifelong member of the Church of England, and a regular worshipper at Bristol Cathedral. Having been a chorister since the age of five, she has a deep love of music, worship, Scripture and liturgy, alongside a particular academic interest in Old Testament theology. Professionally, she is a veterinary surgeon, business owner, university lecturer and industry leader, committed to supporting agriculture through innovation, pastoral care, and mental health advocacy. Outside work, she enjoys singing with the Fitzhardinge Consort, reading history, biographies, cooking, crochet, and walking the family terrier
Esther Deans MBE: Esther has 33 years in education and equalities work alongside being a full -time teacher. She has combined these roles in becoming and activist and voice for race, equality and equity in education. She has been awarded an MBE for her work with communities and worked alongside others making a difference such as Sir Paul Stephenson OBE, Lord Marvin Rees and the Dean of Westminster The Very Revd Dr John Hall.
Dr Gary Lewis: Gary Lewis is a teacher by profession. He served as Headteacher at Gordano School in Portishead and is currently Chief Executive of Lighthouse Schools Partnership, which runs more than thirty schools in Bristol and the west of England. His doctorate is o n corporate governance. He has previous experience of cathedral governance as a committee member at Wells Cathedral. He is churchwarden at his parish church in Clevedon and is beginning training with the hope of being ordained as a self -supporting minister.
Caroline Jowett-Ive: Caroline is a Bristol-based HR and business leader with 40 years’ connection to the city and a Masters in Human Resource Management. Her career includes global leadership roles specialising in transformation and mergers and acquisitions, followed by three years as Director of People and Safeguarding and Deputy Diocesan Secretary for Bristol Diocese. She is currently Interim Director of Ministry and People for Salisbury Diocese, a member of Bristol CNC and Diocesan Synod, and Lay Chair of Bristol West Deanery. Caroline chairs two Christian charities: Spear Bristol Trust and Bristol Ecclesiastical Charities Trust.