Diocese of Chichester

He will oversee the operation of the Palace and steer new initiatives aimed at developing the recently launched vision of a people's palace for the Bishop's Palace. He will also be a key link between the Bishop's office in Chichester and the diocesan office in Hove.

Howard has wide experience of the workings of the Church of England having previously served in roles at diocesan offices and for the national church.

Following on from ten years in academic publishing and a stint as PCC secretary of a large team parish in Southwark diocese, Howard has worked for the General Synod at Church House Westminster, as Pastoral & Committee Secretary in Oxford diocese and as Assistant Diocesan Secretary of Peterborough. He has most recently been Secretary of the Crown Naval charity Greenwich Hospital.

Howard and his wife Lucy, a university history lecturer, have two daughters aged 4 and 9, and a third on the way. Beyond work and family, he has interests in music and twentieth-century visual arts.

The family, who are currently based in Northampton, are also delighted to be living so much closer to the sea than they have ever previously managed.

Dr Warner said today: " We are delighted that Howard Cattermole will be joining the staff at The Palace, here in Chichester. Howard grew up in Sussex and his Christian faith was shaped in this diocese. He now brings a wide range of experience from elsewhere to the work that we undertake here. We look forward to welcoming him and his family. "

Howard added: “I am very excited to have been appointed by Bishop Martin to join his team in this multi-faceted role, and particularly to be able to support his ambitions for the Palace as a place of welcome, hospitality and inspiration, for the Diocese and the community more widely. I am also really looking forward to moving back to Sussex, where I grew up and which still feels very much like home.”