Salisbury Cathedral has announced the appointment of its first female chapter clerk in its 750-year history.

Katrine Sporle will take on the role, and that of executive director, with immediate effect.

The Chapter Clerk is the senior lay manager at Salisbury Cathedral, responsible for advising on and overseeing the execution of the strategic policies set by Chapter and the Cathedral’s senior management team.

Mrs Sporle will work in close partnership with the Dean of Salisbury the Very Revd June Osborne, so the cathedral’s most senior lay and ordained leaders are both women.

Mrs Sporle said: “There are many challenges ahead, not least the funding and completion of the Major Repair Programme, making improvements to our visitor facilities and finding new ways of displaying and interpreting the Magna Carta.

“I do not underestimate what needs to be done but what excites me is being able to play my part in shaping the future of this iconic building and church which means so much to so many people.”