Governance & Chapter
Under the terms of the Cathedrals Measure in 1999, the governance structure at Truro Cathedral consists of a Cathedral Council, a Chapter, a College of Canons and a Finance Committee. In 2003 the Chapter established a further Executive Committee, delegating operational matters. Meet our Chapter and Executive members:
Dean Simon Robinson has been ordained for ten years, he was previously a teacher and a headteacher, always in inner city contexts. Dean Simon has wide experience of education, strategic leadership and change management. In the church he has been involved in the work of discerning vocations to the ordained ministry, pioneering ministry, spiritual direction, supporting clergy and is the Superior of an internationally dispersed community of priests, men and women, called The Sodality of Mary.
Helen Davies was appointed as a lay chapter canon in 2015. She also serves on the Cathedral Council. Helen lives in Launceston and is a solicitor specialising in business and agricultural property. She is active within the parish, a director of Launceston Foodbank and Launceston Money Advice Centre, serves on the Deanery and Diocesan Synods and is an ordinand training on the South West Ministry Training Course. She brings her legal skills and experience in education, compliance and governance to Chapter.
Rev’d Canon Alan Bashforth was appointed as canon chancellor in October 2014 and in that role works to promote lifelong learning in and around the cathedral. He sits on the finance committee and is a director of Truro Cathedral Limited. In the wider life of the Church of England in Cornwall, Alan is a trustee of the South West Ministry Training Course, a member of the General Synod and the chair of the House of Clergy of the Truro Diocesan Synod and also sits as a member of the bishop’s Diocesan Council.
Daphne Skinnard is a lay chapter canon and was appointed in 2015. She is the chapter representative for the Friends of Truro Cathedral and brings a wealth of marketing and media skills, being an assistant editor of BBC Radio Cornwall and awarded a fellowship by Falmouth University in 2013 for her outstanding contribution to broadcasting.
Sean O’Neill is the chief operating officer at the cathedral. He has a background in accountancy focused on the not-for-profit sector. For the last ten years, he has focused on operations management and community engagement and has a real passion for events. Prior to taking up the post at the cathedral, Sean was the chief operating officer at the Cornish heritage site and visitor attraction Heartlands
Robert Perry has been a Chapter member since 2018, having been a regular worshipper in the cathedral since 1986. For much of that time, he has been Secretary of St Mary’s PCC and of the Cathedral Council and is also a Lay Assistant and one of the cathedral bellringers. By profession, he was a chartered surveyor, and for most of his career worked for Cornwall County Council.
Richard Robinson is a chartered accountant and was appointed in 2020. Prior to his retirement he was a partner in a local firm of accountants and specialised in acting for charities and not-for-profit organisations. He is also a parish treasurer and a trustee for another charity.
Jeff James was appointed in 2022. He spent 30 years as a senior manager in the NHS, five of which were in Cornwall. He was ordained in Gloucester Cathedral in 2001 and spent 12 years as a self- supporting minister in that Diocese before becoming Priest in Charge at Mylor. He retired from incumbent ministry in 2020.