Introduction

*** The information on this site is in draft format and not yet finalised for publication ***

Thank you so much for taking an interest in this pro bono Chair role. The Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England, hereafter the Commission, has been served by distinguished Chairs, most recently Dame Fiona Reynolds, since its founding. This microsite contains information on the work of the Commission, together with a job description for the role of Chair. 

This is a demanding and exciting time for the 42 cathedrals of the Church of England, which serve as spiritual and cultural centres in their communities and dioceses across the country. The most recent report on the life of our cathedrals1 celebrates their vitality, inclusiveness, and spiritual breadth. It also tells us that 80% of our cathedrals are in structural deficit, stretched increasingly thin by rising costs of staffing, and the care and conservation of buildings. 

The Commission works alongside partners in the wider Church, the faith and heritage sector, and in Government, to advocate for these wonderful buildings which are the spiritual flagships of our nation. The Chair of the Commission will be a strong advocate for supporting cathedrals, and confident with the unique system of their management (the Measure). The Chair will also be someone who can speak candidly yet pastorally with the leaders of our cathedrals, both ordained and lay, as the joint vocation of heritage and mission is realised in the challenging context of our present social and economic realities. Together with the rest of the Church of England estate, cathedrals are working hard to meet the General Synod’s ambitions towards Net Zero carbon emissions, and the Chair will be entirely in sympathy with that goal.

As Director for Cathedral and Church Buildings, I am pleased to work closely with the Chair and the Commission, alongside colleagues, to enable the kinds of change, conservation, development and advocacy that such extraordinary buildings require to continue to play their full role in national life. I or my colleague Tom Ashley would be delighted to have an informal conversation if that would be helpful: please contact Adrian Daffern adrian.daffern@churchofengland.org who will be glad to set that up.

Emily Gee, Secretary to the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England

Emily has been the Director for Cathedral and Church Buildings at the Church Commissioners since Easter 2023. Before this, Emily worked at Historic England for 22 years in roles such as Listing Inspector for many parts of the country, Head of Listing, London Planning Director, and London & South East Regional Director. Emily has an undergraduate degree in Afro-American Studies from Smith College, Massachusetts, a Masters in Architectural History with Historic Preservation from the University of Virginia, and a Building Conservation Diploma from the Architectural Association in London.

Emily is a member of the English Heritage Blue Plaques Panel, a Trustee of the Oxford Preservation Trust, and Chair of the Skinners’ Charity Foundation sub-committee for Arts, Heritage and Communities. She is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a full member of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation. Her book on Victorian and Edwardian housing for working women, Hostel, House and Chambers, has just been published by Historic England.