Chapter Trustee (Voluntary)

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Rochester Cathedral is a registered charity (reg. No. 1206900). We are seeking to appoint new trustees to serve on our Chapter. This is an unpaid, non-executive voluntary position.

As trustees of the charity, members of Chapter hold significant responsibility for the governance of the Cathedral, with a strategic overview of all its activities.

We are particularly interested in recruiting Chapter Members with one or more of the following specific skills and/or experience;

  • Legal expertise to support the work of the Cathedral, by identifying actual and potential legal issues and assisting Chapter as to how to source relevant advice and assistance in respect of the same.

  • Relevant and recent financial experience.

  • Administration and operations management.

  • Fundraising.

  • Digital marketing.

  • Safeguarding.

  • Risk management and audit.

  • Property and development.

Alongside particular skills that we seek, each Chapter member  must be enthusiastic about sharing the Christian faith. The Cathedral is particularly keen to reach out to all who live and work in the Diocese of Rochester (Medway, West Kent and the London Boroughs of Bromley & Bexley) and the wider Kent region and those who are visitors, to invite them in and to provide many and varied opportunities for spiritual enrichment.

All new members of Chapter must be eligible to serve as Trustees under the Charities Act 2011 and will be committed to our mission and ministry.  All members of Chapter are also required to have a clear DBS Check – enhanced with barred list. All new members must also be a baptised, confirmed and actual communicant Anglican or member of another Church in communion with the Church of England, or a church which subscribes to the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity (there is a requirement to swear allegiance to the Bishop of Rochester).

The role of a Chapter Member

Non-executive members of Chapter are known as Lay Canons and are full members of Chapter, which meets on a regular basis throughout the year. The role of a Lay Canon is comparable to the role of a non-executive director in the corporate world. They share in governance and oversight across the whole of the Cathedral's work alongside the Dean, (the Chair) and Residentiary Canons (the ordained members of Chapter who are known as Executive Members).  Each Lay Canon will have experience and expertise to offer to the Cathedral's life and work.  Lay Canons do not have executive responsibility. Lay Canons play an active role in enabling the Cathedral to create a sacred space that offers worship and encourages discussion about faith in a supportive, welcoming and inclusive community.

Time Commitment

Lay Canons are expected to be able to prioritise their time for attendance at the regular meetings of the Chapter. Chapter currently meets a least six times a year, with some additional special sessions being arranged for topic discussions.

In addition, a willingness to join one of the Chapter committees is expected.  Meetings normally occur in office hours but there are occasions when attendance outside normal business hours will be expected. Hybrid meetings, with Zoom and Teams options available, also take place to accommodate those who cannot attend meetings in person. The time commitment each week will therefore vary and will include occasional attendance at worship, but as an indication, an average of around 10-15 hours a month across the year would be typical.

 Visible participation in the worship at the heart of the Cathedral's mission is an important expression of the Lay Canons' membership of Chapter. Lay Canons have robes and individual stalls in the Quire of the Cathedral. We would hope for occasional attendance at the 10.30am Sunday Eucharist, Evensongs, Festivals, and civic occasions as personal circumstances permit.

General Details

All roles are voluntary and unremunerated. Expenses are paid in respect of some travelling costs, in accordance with the Cathedral’s policies.

The appointment is subject to satisfactory checks and references, and an enhanced DBS disclosure is required for all non-executive members of Chapter. Checks on social media e.g., Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) etc. may also be undertaken.

 To Apply

If you are interested in being a member of our Chapter, please complete and submit an Application Form to the Chief Operating Officer.   

Should you wish to have more information and would like an informal chat please email our Chief Operating Officer, Simon Lace: simon.lace@rochestercathedral.org who will arrange a time that is suitable to you both.