Dean of Wakefield selection process

Update (08 July 2025)

Applications for the role of Dean of Wakefield have now closed.  Further updates will follow later in the summer.  Please pray for those who will choose our next Dean; those who applied for the role; and for the Cathedral staff and community during this time of change for us all.

Dean of Wakefield selection process (16 June 2025)

Following the consultation process, the advertisement and information pack for the selection of the next Dean has been finalised and can be downloaded here.

Please pray for those who will choose our next Dean; those considering applying for the role; and for the Cathedral staff and community during this time of change for us all.

Update on the Appointment of the Next Dean of Wakefield (May 2025)

Thank you to everyone who took the time to contribute to the consultation about finding our next Dean. The selection process has now moved on to the drawing up of a job description. All of your comments and suggestions have been taken into account and the selection panel has collated everyone’s views into a job advert.

The selection of a Dean in the Church of England is recommended by an appointment panel. Ours includes:
Canon Derek Twine (Chair, appointed by the Archbishop)
The Bishop of Leeds
Canon Irving Warnett (appointed by the Diocese of Leeds Board)
The Revd Canon Jude Smith (elected by the College of Canons)
The Dean of Peterborough (external member, appointed by the Archbishop)
Canon Alison Dean and Canon Jane Evans (elected by the Cathedral Chapter)

Helen Averill from the national senior appointments team is a non-voting member and adminsters the process.

You will be able to see the advert towards the end of next month and that will then start the process of applications and then short-listing and interviewing candidates later this year.

Please pray during this time, that God will guide us in finding the right person.

Any questions or concerns can be sent to us via the Cathedral Office on 01924 373 923 or email jane.evans@wakefield-cathedral.org.uk.
Canon Jane Evans and Canon Alison Dean

Consultation Process

Please note this process has now concluded, this is for background information only.

The first stage in the process is widespread consultation.  On 08 and 10 April, a representative of the senior appointments team and the Dean of another cathedral will hold online meetings with a range of people from the Diocese of Leeds and the wider community.  They will then visit the cathedral on Friday 11 April to meet members of the cathedral staff and the Chapter (our governing / trustee body).  We have also asked some of our congregations, representing different groups / activities / services / ages, to meet them in person, though because there is limited time not everyone can be invited to meet them that day.

However, everyone is encouraged to contribute to the consultation process and say what they feel is good about our cathedral, what challenges we face, and what we would like our next Dean to be like.  You can do this by filling out a short, three-question survey which will take about 5-10 minutes.

You can complete the form online by clicking here.

If you prefer, you can download the form (see below).  You can also collect a paper copy from the cathedral or ring the Cathedral Office on 01924 373 923 and they will send you one.  You can then either email your form to jane.evans@wakefield-cathedral.org.uk or send it to Canon Jane Evans, Wakefield Cathedral Centre, 8-10 Westmorland Street, Wakefield WF1 1PJ.

We also want to hear from younger people in our community and there is a simpler form you can download below.

Please return your form on or before Easter Day, Sunday 20 April.

If you have any questions or concerns about this or any aspect of our cathedral life, please get in touch with one of the clergy.  Most importantly, please be praying for the Cowling family and for the cathedral staff and community during this time of change for us all.