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:
The Dean of Truro, the Very Rev’d Roger Bush was appointed in his role as dean in 2012. Roger shares in the bishop’s oversight of the church’s mission. He presides over the Cathedral Chapter, sitting on the various committees directing the life and work of the cathedral. Together with the other members of Chapter, Dean Roger has oversight of the cathedral’s development and the securing of funds for its long-term future.
Peter Hodgson is a governor at Sutton Hospital in Charterhouse, a trustee of the National Lobster Hatchery and of Trebah Garden Trust as well as being a non-executive director of some private businesses. He is also a member of the Cathedral Council and joined Chapter in 2016. Peter chairs the Finance Committee.
Rev’d Canon Lynda Barley has been the cathedral's canon pastor since 2011 and is responsible for the implementation of the pastoral ministry of the cathedral and its vision for social responsibility. Canon Lynda is also the cathedral's safeguarding officer.
Archdeacon of Bodmin, the Ven Audrey Elkington, joined
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.
Rev’d Canon Simon Griffiths was installed as the canon precentor in January 2016. He is responsible for overseeing the liturgy and worship within the cathedral. Simon works closely with the music department, vergers, development team and all involved in planning services. As a residentiary
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.
Ellen McKessock BSc(Open) FCCA, has been the cathedral's director of operations since 2014. Prior to this, she was the cathedral's finance officer from 2009. Ellen is part of the Executive team and, as a qualified accountant, has helped to support the cathedral's focus on financial sustainability in recent years.