In June, the Cathedral was pleased to announce the appointment of Lord Colin Sharman as chairman of its Cathedral Council.

Appointed by the Bishop of Salisbury, Lord Sharman will lead the Council as it develops its work with and on behalf of the Cathedral.

Hailing from Wiltshire and educated in the Cathedral Close at Bishop Wordsworth’s School, he spent much of his career at KPMG, retiring from the partnership as International Chairman in 1999.

Colin Sharman entered the House of Lords in 1999 as Baron Sharman of Redlynch in the county of Wiltshire - he is currently Chairman of Aviva plc. In May this year, Lord Sharman was also installed as a Cathedral Lay Canon.

Established in 2001, the Cathedral Council currently comprises 18 members with statutory representation from Chapter, the College of Canons and the Cathedral Community Forum, and representatives from the various communities with which the Cathedral works.

In practice, Council meets formally in the spring and autumn although members are in most cases closely involved with the Cathedral throughout the year.

It takes reports on the Cathedral’s mission, activities and finances, also advising and supporting its Development programme.

Lord Colin Sharman took over the chairmanship of the Cathedral Council from General Sir John Wilsey, GCB, CBE , DL , who has been chairman since the Council was formed. We are deeply grateful to Sir John for his advice and leadership over the years.