Bishop of Chester- The Rt Revd Dr Peter Forster
I was born in Birmingham and educated at Tudor Grange Grammar School for Boys, Solihull, and Merton College, Oxford, where I read chemistry. I subsequently read theology at Edinburgh University. I was later awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy for studies in St Irenaeus, a theologian and Bishop of Lyons in the second century. I trained for the Anglican ministry at the Episcopal Church of Scotland’s Theological College in Edinburgh. Ordained in 1980, I served as a curate in the parish of St Matthew and St James, Mossley Hill, Liverpool, before moving to the University of Durham in 1983 as Senior Tutor at St John’s College. During my time in Durham, I was elected to serve as a member of the Church of England’s General Synod. In 1991, I was appointed Vicar of Beverley Minister in the East Riding of Yorkshire. I enjoyed parish ministry in Beverley, where I was responsible for training a number of curates for ministry in the Church of England. I was especially concerned with the revitalisation of worship at Beverley Minister and incorporating young people more fully into its life. I am married to Elisabeth. Elisabeth is a graduate from Edinburgh University in the History of Art. We have four children. I am interested in current affairs and the broader life of society, as well as a range of sports. I have built a house in Scotland, and have a general interest in DIY. I was consecrated as a bishop in York Minster by the Archbishop of York on 13 November 1996, and enthroned as Bishop of Chester on 11 January 1997.
Address:  Bishop’s House, Abbey Square, Chester. CH1 2JD 
TEL:01244 350864  bpchester@chester.anglican.org

The Dean of Chester- The Very Revd Dr Gordon McPhate
I qualified in Medicine at Aberdeen, took a Master’s degree in Clinical Biochemistry at Surrey, and a research Doctorate in Physiology at Cambridge on the regulation of gluconeogenesis in human metabolism. I trained as a pathologist, and held academic posts in Physiology at the University of London, and Pathology at the University of St.Andrews, becoming consultant chemical pathologist to the Fife Hospitals, and directing research in diabetic nephropathy. I am in both the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Pathologists, and am also an Adjudicator for the General Medical Council. Training as a priest in Cambridge, I hold degrees in Theology from both Cambridge and Edinburgh, specialising in the theology of Karl Barth and Medical Ethics. I was ordained and served my curacy in Southwark Diocese, where I later became Minor Canon of the Cathedral. Since my appointment as Dean of Chester, I have become Professor of Theology and Medicine at the University of Chester where I teach postgraduate courses in Science and Religion, and Bioethics. I am a member of the Society of Ordained Scientists. I have an adopted son, three grandsons, and a granddaughter.
Address:  The Deanery, 7 Abbey Street, Chester, CH1 2JF  
TEL:01244 500956  dean@chestercathedral.com

Bishop of Birkenhead - Rt Revd Keith Sinclair
I was consecrated as Bishop of Birkenhead on 8th March 2007, having previously been Vicar of Holy Trinity in Coventry for five and a half years,and Vicar of Aston in Birmingham for thirteen years. My passions are evangelism, justice and renewal, having been involved in some regeneration in Birmingham, and the development of youth ministry there and in Coventry. I was curate also in an inner-city parish in Birmingham, having been ordained in Birmingham Cathedral in 1984. During this time I was also Chaplain (part time) at the Children's Hospital in Birmingham. I worked as a solicitor in Birmingham before ordination, having been trained in London, where I was brought up. I am married to Rosie, who is a part-time lecturer in family law at Chester University, and we have three children, Peter, Anna and David. I enjoy rugby, walking and watching films. I love black gospel music and Bach, and I love serving in this Diocese and living on the Wirral.
Address:  Bishop's Lodge, 67 Bidston Road, Prenton, CH43 6TR 
TEL: 0151 6522741   bpbirkenhead@chester.anglican.org

The Archdeacon of Macclesfield- The Venerable Richard Gillings
I was born in Harrogate, Yorkshire but was a young cross-pennines missionary to the 'other side of the Pennines' growing up in Hale, Altrincham. I attended Sale Grammar School, then St Chad's Durham and was trained for ministry at Lincoln Theological College, Orained Deacon in 1970 and priest 1971. I've spent all my ministry in the Diocese, first at St George's Altrincham and then Rector of St Thomas Stockport and priest in Charge of St Peter Stockport. In 1983 I became Team Rector of Birkenhead Priory and subsequently Rural Dean of Birkenhead. This was a time of great change as we closed two churchs and invested £1.2million in the restoration and development of Christ the King Birkenhead. In 1993 I was asked to return to the eastern half of the Diocese as Vicar of Bramhall, a post I held until 2005. From 1994 I held this alongside the role of Archdeacon of Macclesfield, exercising a shared responsibility for the eastern half of the Diocese. I served on General Synod from 1980 to 2005. I currently chair the Committee for Social Responsibility, the Liturgical Group and Foxhill Council. I'm vice-chair of the Willbrord Society, an organisation committed to developing relations between Anglicans and Old Catholics. I am marrried to Kathryn and we have four children aged between 14 & 34 and one grandchild. We've been Foster Carers for nearly thirty years and have cared for around twenty five children in that period. I've been a Rotarian for over twenty years (recently President of Hazel Grove Rotary Club). I am a serious rail buff, enjoy music, films and the Highlands of Scotland where we have house to which we can escape.
Address:  5 Robins Lane, Bramhall, Stockport, SK7 2PE 
TEL:0161 439 2254  richard.gillings@chester.anglican.org

The Archdeacon of Chester- Donald Allister
As a boy I lived in Birkenhead, Bromley, Heswall, then Birkenhead again before university in Cambridge then theological college in Bristol. I still think of Birkenhead as my home. I love Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the Church of England. Again and again I have had the best job in the world. A curacy in Hyde, another in Sevenoaks (part-time alongside working for the Church of England Newspaper), incumbencies in Birkenhead and Cheadle, a spell as rural dean, now an archdeacon: one privilege and joy after another. There are downsides. Clergy get criticised, sometimes unfairly. Sharing in people’s lives can be painful. Illness, bereavement and issues in your own family are still real, despite ministering to others. Pressures on clergy families can be dreadful. I love preaching, teaching, offering care and support. I’m happy doing diocesan admin to help the church get on with God’s mission. Less pleasant is the (fortunately rare) involvement with clergy discipline. My wife Janice works as a GP. Our son taught physics but is now preparing for ordination. Our two daughters are both doing research: one in veterinary matters, the other (recently married) in church history. We love holidays in the Lake District or Edinburgh.
Address:  Church House, Lower Lane, Aldford, Chester. CH3 6HP  
TEL:01244 681973 Ext 253  donald.allister@chester.anglican.org

The Bishop of Stockport- The Rt Revd Robert Atwell
I was born and brought up in Ilford, Essex, on the east side of London. After school I read theology at St John’s College, Durham, and trained for the ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge. During training I was privileged to be sent to study at the Venerable English College in Rome. Attending lectures with seminarians from around the world and exploring the Eternal City was an education in itself. After ordination and a curacy in north London I was appointed Chaplain of Trinity College, Cambridge. From there I took the unusual step of becoming a Benedictine monk at Burford Priory in the Cotswolds. My ten years in monastic life gave me an abiding love of contemplative prayer. Although no longer a monk I maintain my Benedictine vocation as an oblate of the Abbey of Le Bec in Normandy where I try to make an annual retreat. Before coming to Stockport I was for nine years Vicar of St Mary’s in Primrose Hill, north London.
Address:  Bishop's Lodge, Back Lane, Dunham Town, Altrincham. Cheshire WA14 4SG 
TEL:0161 9285611  bpstockport@chester.anglican.org

Diocesan Secretary- John Mason
My home town is Southport - in Lancashire when I was born but now in Merseyside. Before reading engineering at Cambridge, I worked at Harwell Laboratory and, as a result, changed subjects, graduating in physics before gaining a PhD in nuclear physics. My initial resolve to undertake research 'at the bench' was undermined as I changed roles, gaining experience in project management, financial appraisal, planning, and human resources at Harwell, then taking part in a management buy-out of the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC). Change has been a feature of my career, and after six years as a Director of LGC I felt called to a personal change. I was delighted therefore to be appointed Diocesan Secretary in 2006 with the opportunity to use my business skills to help the Church and its Mission. I was also delighted recently to become a Lay Canon of the Cathedral. I see things from “the other side of the fence” through my involvement as a PCC Treasurer, a Sunday school leader, and a last ditch choice as church organist if all else fails! I have four wonderful daughters and an equally wonderful and very supportive wife to whom I owe much.
Address: Chester Diocesan Board of Finance. Church House, Lower Lane, Aldford, Chester. CH3 6HP 
TEL:01244 681973 Ext 249  john.mason@chester.anglican.org

Director of Finance and IT- George Colville
I was born and grew up in Liverpool and studied at Liverpool Bluecoat School before reading Mathematics at Brasenose College Oxford. After graduating I trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in Liverpool. I then worked for the Charity Commission as a Senior Accountant where my main role was providing accounting support, advice and training to the Charity Commission staff and Charity trustees. I met my wife Andrea at Oxford. She worked as a Computer Analyst before taking on the job of looking after our two children. We worship at St Ann’s Church Warrington, where I am treasurer and play the keyboard, and Andrea runs the Guides. My interests include visiting historic monuments particularly castles, music and swimming. I see my role as helping all in Church House and in the wider Diocese to understand the financial issues we face, and in doing so believe in making the Diocesan finances as open and easy to understand as possible. I am also keen to support and assist parishes, particularly parish treasurers.
Address: Chester Diocesan Board of Finance. Church House, Lower Lane, Aldford, Chester CH3 6HP.  
TEL:01244 681973 Ext 247  george.colville@chester.anglican.org

Director of Communication- Stephen Regan
I was born and grew up in Wigan, Lancashire, and left there, aged 18, to go to university in Canterbury in 1975. From an early age I was interested in writing and while at university I dabbled in student journalism. After graduation I became a trainee journalist on the Colchester Evening Gazette. After passing professional exams I worked as a journalist in different parts of the UK for regional newspapers, including: the Evening News in Norwich; the Hackney Gazette in East London; the Hull Daily Mail; and the Press and Journal in Scotland. I also worked for ORACLE Teletext and wrote a TV review column for it under the pseudonym of Sam Brady. In more recent times I worked as Chief Reporter of the Methodist Recorder in London before moving to my current role in the Diocese of Chester. I live in New Brighton, Wirral, where I founded and continue to run The Bards of New Brighton poetry group.
Address: Chester Diocesan Board of Finance. Church House, Lower Lane, Aldford, Chester CH3 6HP.  
TEL:01244 681973 Ext 233  stephen.regan@chester.anglican.org

Diocesan Surveyor- Pete Gowrley
Having originally worked for Cheshire County Council for nearly twenty years, Peter joined the diocese in 2005 and succeeds Mike Cram as Diocesan Surveyor. Married to Sally, they have one daughter - Freya. Peter's main hobbies include gardening and cultivating pelargoniums. Favourite travelling destinations include the Greek Islands and Venice.
Address: Address: Chester Diocesan Board of Finance. Church House, Lower Lane, Aldford, Chester CH3 6HP  
TEL:01244 681973 Ext 254  peter.gowrley@chester.anglican.org

Director of Education- Jeff Turnbull
I have been Diocesan Director of Education with overall responsibility for Diocesan support for work with children, young people and Church schools since January 1991. Born in 1950 at Bishop Auckland, my early years were spent mostly in the north-east and I studied physics at Durham University. Having completed my PGCE I began teaching at my old school, Durham Johnston in 1972. After 18 years in teaching, culminating in the headship of a school near Huddersfield, I spent a short time in educational administration with Kirklees Council before coming to the Diocese. In 1986 I became a Reader in Wakefield Diocese and served on their Liturgical Committee while retaining a keen interest in ministry among young people in my own church. I continue to exercise my Reader ministry in the Diocese, mostly in All Saints’, Hoole. My wife Margaret, who is a civil servant, and I have three grown up daughters and three grandsons. I enjoy sport (sadly watching these days), particularly rugby union and cricket, although I still have an attachment to Sunderland AFC. It is a real privilege to minister in this Diocese, serving God alongside wonderful teachers, volunteers and the team in Church House, but my greatest delight is still to be alongside children as together we learn more about our Saviour.
Address: Chester Diocesan Board of Finance. Church House, Lower Lane, Aldford, Chester CH3 6HP.  
TEL:01244 681973 Ext 222  jeff.turnbull@chester.anglican.org

Director of Social Responsibility- Janice Mason
I am responsible for Diocesan support in social responsibility. My husband and I are also active member of St Anne’s with St Francis’, Sale Moor, where we edit the parish newsletter and support Traidcraft.
Address: Chester Diocesan Board of Finance. Church House, Lower Lane, Aldford, Chester CH3 6HP. 
TEL:01244 681973 Ext235  janice.mason@chester.anglican.org

Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) Secretary and Director of Property- Paul Broadhurst
Born in Birkenhead, I was educated at Birkenhead School and went on to read English Literature at St Chad’s College, Durham. After graduation I joined the Civil Service and undertook a range of finance, human resource and corporate management jobs at the Ministry of Defence in Liverpool city centre. Alongside my MOD role, I took up property management from 1999 and completed an MBA degree through Durham University in 2007. After 20 years in MOD, I joined Church House in 2008 and am keen to support parishes with all the many and varied property issues they face. A keen amateur musician, I’ve been organist at Christ Church in Birkenhead since 1996.
Address: Chester Diocesan Board of Finance. Church House, Lower Lane, Aldford, Chester CH3 6HP 
TEL:01244 681973 Ext 243  paul.broadhurst@chester.anglican.org

Diocesan Director of Human Resources- Elizabeth Squires
Elizabeth was born in Colwyn Bay, and went to England in 1969 to read history at Durham University. After that she studied for the Diploma of the Institute of Personnel Management in London, and has worked since then in Personnel. She spent her career before this in the public sector, initially in the Health Service, but since 1977 in local government. Elizabeth has worked for Kirklees Council in Huddersfield at the then Polytechnic and subsequently was responsible for providing personnel support to Education and Leisure Services. In 1997 she came to Cheshire County Council to manage their training and development and health and safety functions, and for the last two years before its reorganisation managed the County Human Resources Service. Elizabeth met her husband, then an ordinand, at Durham and together they have lived in every type of parish from council estate, suburban to deeply rural. He is now Archdeacon of Wrexham. Elizabeth is involved in the diocesan selection process in the Church in Wales, and is a member of the Diocesan Synod. She is also the Chair of Governors at her local village school. She relaxes by gardening and cooking, and is a keen caravanner, but only in sunnier climes!
Address: Chester Diocesan Board of Finance. Church House, Lower Lane, Aldford, Chester CH3 6HP.  
TEL:01244 681973 Ext 261  elizabeth.squires@chester.anglican.org

Head of operational HR- Liz Geddes
Liz Geddes started her career in banking before becoming an HR professional. She has held previous HR / Personnel management positions at United Christian Broadcasters Ltd and John Lewis until becoming the Human Resources Adviser to the Dioceses of Chester, Liverpool and Manchester in May 2006. Liz became a full time employee of the Diocese of Chester in October 2009 as Head of Operational HR. Liz worked with officers from the Dioceses of Chester, Liverpool and Manchester in partnership with the Church Urban Fund to produce Just Employment, a guide for parishes and projects in employing and managing their workers. She is a magistrate, a member of the Trafford bench and the Community Justice Team. Her hobbies include floristry, cooking - especially cake baking, reading, and spending time with her husband and four children. Liz is involved in the life and worship of her local church where her husband is the Vicar. She co-leads the annual Alpha Course and helps to run the social activities. Liz’s responsibilities include HR support to parishes and the DBF staff.
Address: Chester Diocesan Board of Finance. Church House, Lower Lane, Aldford, Chester CH3 6HP. 
TEL:01244 681973 Ext 240  liz.geddes@chester.anglican.org