The Chair's Role

The Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England (“the Commission” or “CFCE”) is a statutory body operating under the jurisdiction of the Care of Cathedrals Measure 2011 as part of the Church of England’s Ecclesiastical Exemption from secular Listed Building Consent. 

The Commission forms a key part of, and more broadly oversees, the Church of England’s system for giving advice and consent to proposals relating to the conservation and development of cathedrals: their fabric, contents, settings and archaeology.  

The role of the Chair is becoming vacant due to the forthcoming departure of the current incumbent, Dame Fiona Reynolds, after ten years of service.

Cathedral Cloisters

The role 

This role is an exciting opportunity to become one of the key figures in supporting and helping to guide the development of some of England’s finest historic buildings.  

We are seeking an experienced person with a passion for ecclesiastical heritage, and experience of leading an expert committee. The Chair will be a figurehead for cathedrals, representing them on the national stage to Government, the heritage sector, grant-giving bodies, and within the Church. 

The Chair is appointed by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, after consultation with the Secretary of State (in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport). Appointment is for a five-year term and a maximum of two terms may be served. 

As well as operating the system of listed building planning controls, determining applications for major project works and advising on future works, the Commission also has a role in providing guidance, policy, and updating legislation to ensure the system is as effective as possible.

Members of the Commission at Southwark Cathedral

Future challenges are likely to be: 

  • Provision of effective, accessible and efficient service to these exceptionally significant places, which also contribute a net £235m to the economy each year and support thousands of paid and volunteer roles as well as being centres of Christian worship and mission;

  • Ongoing refinement of current processes, including possibly moving to a new online application system, and providing guidance on presenting issues; 

  • The adaptation of cathedral buildings to the changing climate and to reduce carbon emissions, in line with the Church of England’s net zero goals; 

  • Helping to make the case, both within and beyond the Church, for adequate funding for conservation and development works to cathedrals and other places of worship; 

  • Helping the Commission, which will include both new and returning members and participant observers, to cohere under new leadership. 

The role of the Chair is supported and informed by several key people: 

  • The Rt Revd Dr Andrew Rumsey, Bishop of St Albans and co-lead bishop for Cathedrals and Church Buildings. 

  • The Rt Revd Dr Jane Steen, Bishop Suffragan of Lynn and co-lead bishop for Cathedrals and Church Buildings. 

  • The Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland, Third Church Estates Commissioner. 

  • William Nye, Secretary-General of the Archbishops' Council and Secretary-General of the General Synod of the Church of England. 

  • Rosie Slater-Carr, Chief Executive, Church Commissioners for England 

  • A Vice-Chair of the Commission. In accordance with the Care of Cathedrals Measure the Vice-Chair will be appointed by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, in consultation with the Archbishops’ Council and the College of Deans. We would expect the new Chair to be involved in this appointment. 

In addition, the Chair and Commission is served by the Cathedral and Major Churches Team within the Cathedral and Church Buildings Department. The director of the department, Emily Gee, is also Secretary of the Commission. 

Key skills for the role 

  • A good understanding of the history and ethos of the Church of England, and of the architectural and historic development of cathedrals; 

  • A good level of understanding of, and sympathy with, the contribution of cathedrals to modern society; 

  • Awareness and understanding of the issues involved in achieving the best outcomes both for worship and mission and for care and conservation; 

  • Awareness of the financial context within which cathedrals, and the Church of England, operates (this should include knowledge of the funding landscape); 

  • A good level of understanding of secular planning and conservation legislation and policy (knowledge of the ecclesiastical systems would be an advantage); 

  • Experience of dealing with government, public bodies and committees at a senior level; 

  • Experience of chairing large committees involving a diverse group of expert members. 

Personal skills 

  • Ability to command respect and communicate well at all levels with the Church, Government departments, Historic England, the national amenity societies and other key stakeholders; 

  • Excellent analytical skills, and the ability to assimilate large amounts of information in various forms (text, plans, drawings etc.); 

  • Excellent chairing skills, including the ability to weigh up conflicting arguments and pressures, and steer the group towards clear decision-making; 

  • A shrewd ability to test assumptions and not take assertions at face value; 

  • Willingness to take responsibility for all decisions, including unpopular ones, when circumstances have justified them; 

  • The ability both look at detail but also to take a wider strategic view; 

  • Highly developed communication skills; 

  • Energy and commitment, and the desire to continue to build the Commission into a respected and forward-thinking body. 

Under the terms of the Measure, the Chair must be a lay person. They do not have to be a Christian, or a practising member of the Church of England; however, a deep and sincere appreciation of the context within which cathedrals operate, and the primary function of a cathedral as a centre of Christian worship and mission and the seat of a bishop, is necessary to the role. 

Commitment 

This role is a non-salaried, voluntary post. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.  

The role requires attending 6-8 Commission meetings a year, usually in London, plus pre-meeting briefings online. It also requires some availability for site visits, which can take place nationwide and are usually arranged with one to three months' notice. The Chair is not expected to attend every visit – dependent on individual skills and expertise, each visit is individually planned by officers. Additional attendance at meetings with key stakeholders will be necessary and will be arranged by officers with suitable notice. 

An average level of commitment is likely to be in the order of 20 days per year. 

The Commission Secretariat provides all papers (electronically), administers all meetings and arranges all visits. Members of the Commission generally arrange their own travel to and from meetings and site visits but assistance with this is available if required. Reasonable travel and expenses will be reimbursed.  

The Chair will not have any line management responsibility. S/he will have a close working relationship, with a regular pre-meeting planning session and ad hoc meetings or conversations, with officers.