Governance, Policies and Accounts

Canon Mark Buckle
Mark has been a civil servant for more than thirty years, and also has experience in the private and third sectors. He has primarily worked in the food/agricultural areas, and is currently a senior manager leading a team in the livestock sector. Mark is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Management Institute. Mark is passionate about protecting and enhancing our environment, including encouraging local people to engage in this vital work. One of his proudest achievements is walking the Pennine Way, albeit over a period of seven years. He is also a keen fair-weather cyclist, gardener, railway enthusiast and devoted husband/father. Mark is a Chapter member of the Risk & Audit Committee.

Revd Canon Paul Cartwright SSC
The Revd Canon Paul Cartwright is vicar of three parishes in the Priory Benefice and Area Dean of Pontefract. He has served on the Church of England’s General Synod for three terms, including 10 years on CMEAC and as vice chair of the Business Committee. A former police officer and current chaplain, he holds degrees in social policy and theology, a PGCE (PCET), and is an MSET. An experienced training incumbent, he enjoys playing the flugelhorn and fanfare trumpet for relaxation. Fr. Paul is a Chapter member of the Risk & Audit Committee.

Canon Alison Dean
The cathedral has been Alison’s family church for almost 30 years. She spent her career working for HMRC, and is now using the experience gained there by chairing the cathedral’s Finance Committee, responsible for monitoring the cathedral’s income and spending and also for ensuring that its assets are used wisely. She is also a keen supporter of the cathedral music as both her children were choristers and benefitted from the excellent musical and spiritual training that the cathedral choirs provide.

Canon Jane Evans
Jane’s career was spent in the field of communications, latterly as a global director with the international children’s charity World Vision. Since retirement, she has served in a number of roles with the Diocese of Leeds, and is currently a member of General Synod. Jane has been directly connected with Wakefield Cathedral since 2019, when she was installed as an honorary lay canon. She facilitated the development of the cathedral’s strategic vision, Firm in Hope, and helped lead the process to become a registered charity. Jane previously chaired the Cathedral Council, and is now Senior Non-Executive Member (vice chair) of Chapter, and chairs the Cathedral Partners’ Forum.

The Revd Canon Dr Kathryn Goldsmith
Kathryn has been the Canon Precentor of Wakefield Cathedral since January 2024. She is head of the cathedral’s music department, has pastoral care for the cathedral choir, and is responsible for all worship-related activities that take place within the cathedral. As part of this role she is also a governor of the Wakefield Grammar School Foundation. In addition, she maintains an active academic interest in the field of liturgy, is co-secretary of the Society for Liturgical Study, and a member of the international scholarly society Societas Liturgica. Prior to her current post she was Minor Canon for Worship and Liturgy at Bristol Cathedral. Kathryn sits on the Cathedral Partners’ Forum.

The Revd Canon Dr Philip Hobday
Philip is Sub-Dean and the clergy person who oversees pastoral care, learning, outreach, and safeguarding. He has been a parish priest, university chaplain, and has taught theology for several universities and Church of England training programmes. Having been a governor of several schools, he now chairs the governing body of Trinity Academy Cathedral in Wakefield and is a member of a Multi-Academy Trust. Philip is an experienced mentor and supervisor, has substantial experience in governance and leadership in the education and charity sectors, as well as developing partnerships between churches and local civic and community groups. Philip represents Chapter on the Nominations Committee and the Cathedral Community Forum.

The Revd Canon Dr Erik Peeters
Erik is both Residentiary Canon at the cathedral and Lay Training Officer with the diocesan Lay Training Team. He was born and raised in South Africa. In 2002, he and his wife came to the UK, planning to return after two years. It is fair to say that plan did not work out. Over the years, Erik has worked a variety of jobs, and occasionally still feels surprised that he has turned out to be an Anglican.

Canon Andrew Revans
For many years Manchester-born Andrew combined his role as Finance Director of a group of engineering companies with that of Bass Lay Clerk in the cathedral choir. He is currently Honorary Interim Finance Manager at the cathedral, while still singing on a part-time basis both at Wakefield and at our sister cathedral in Bradford. Andrew’s interests include Anglican Chant (on which he is an acknowledged expert), British railway history, 1970s pop music and Manchester United. Andrew represents Chapter on the Finance Committee.

Canon Mandy Shepherd
Mandy is an artist and creative practitioner with a strong passion for helping people use creativity to support their mental health and overall well-being. She is currently pursuing a degree in Textile Design at Huddersfield University, after dedicating 40 years to a career in the retail industry. Mandy has been an active member of the cathedral congregation since 2006 and has volunteered as a church warden and server for much of that time.

Canon Danny Wilks OBE
Danny is an HR professional and enjoyed a 48-year career with West Yorkshire Police, where he was responsible for the delivery of positive action initiatives to improve recruitment, retention and progression of all under-represented groups. He has significant experience in the field of employee relations and recruitment and assessments. Danny was awarded the OBE for services to policing and voluntary services to justice and the community of West Yorkshire in the 2017 New Year Honours List. Danny chairs the cathedral’s Nominations Committee, as well as the Cathedral Community Forum.