THE Very Reverend James Atwell has been announced as the next Dean of Winchester.
The Queen confirmed his appointment on Monday, and he will take up the reins at the city's cathedral early next year.
Raised in Wiltshire, the 59-year-old is currently Dean of the Cathedral Church of St James, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. "It will be hard to move, but also very exciting to look forward to a new challenge."
The incoming dean, who was picked by Downing Street for his new role, was ordained in 1970 after studying at Exeter College, Oxford, and Harvard University, in America.
He served in London, Cambridge, and Northamptonshire before becoming Provost at Bury St Edmunds in 1995, and later becoming Dean.
The time is now right to move, he feels, as a major building project at the cathedral in Suffolk has just finished.
Dean Atwell said there were many similarities between his current home and his future one, especially in terms of their rich heritage.
"I'm certainly aware of the awesome history of Winchester Cathedral, and an enormous privilege it will be to serve here."
In his new role, he will be responsible for around 80 staff and 800 volunteers, and getting to know them will be his first priority. "I think the initial challenge is to listen, absorb, and be aware of what's going on and appreciate what's been achieved."
Dean Atwell, who is married to Lorna and has three children, will be installed at a special service in Winchester Cathedral in March.
He will replace the Very Revd Michael Till, who plans to retire in October, having taken on the role in 1996. The outgoing dean stated that he had every confidence in his successor.
"Winchester will rapidly come to recognise his experience, his articulate faith and his personal warmth.
"He, in turn, will rapidly come to recognise the resources and needs of this community in which I have been privileged to serve," he said.
The Rt Revd Michael Scott-Joynt, the Bishop of Winchester, added: "I look forward very much to his joining us in the cathedral, and then in the diocese as a member of my staff team."
During the winter months, the Archdeacon of Winchester, the venerable John Guille, will assume the role of acting dean. The Revd Canon Charles Stewart, the cathedral's director of music, will be his deputy.
