Clive Barnett, Luke March, Richard Southwell and Dame Rosemary Spencer have accepted the Bishop's invitation to be installed as Lay Canons during Evensong on May 3. The service will be led by the Dean, The Very Revd June Osborne and the installations conducted by the Bishop.

Once installed, the Canons join what is known as The College of Canons. Established in 2001, it includes both Honorary and Lay Canons and meets twice a year to provide feedback on Cathedral activities and inform the policy decisions of the Cathedral.

It also provides an opportunity for the Cathedral to recognise its role in diocesan and civic life.

Clive Barnett was headmaster of Bishop Wordsworth's School, Salisbury from 1992 to 2002. He served on the Diocesan Board of Education from 1998 to 2002. In 2002 he was appointed one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools.

Clive and his wife Patricia live near Redlynch in the New Forest which offers wonderful opportunities to pursue his interests of walking and cycling. Clive has taken up cricket umpiring and is involved with EdUKaid.

Luke March is a former director of the TSB Bank, corporate governance director of BT, Deputy Chairman of St Bartholemew's Hospital in London and The London NHS Trust. He also served as compliance director for the Royal Mail Group and is chairman of Salisbury NHS Trust.

A member of the Archbishops' Review Group on Bishops' needs and resources, he was also a member of the Council of St Paul's Cathedral.

Richard Southwell QC became a Barrister in 1959 and Queen's Counsel in 1977. In 2002 was appointed Treasurer for the Inner Temple. He is currently President of the Lloyd's Appeal Tribunal.

He is Lay Co-Chairman of the Heytesbury Deanery Synod and Lay Chairman of the Diocesan House of Laity, as well as being Chairman of the Governors of St Mary's Calne and Warminster Schools. Richard is a great admirer of his wife Belinda's gardening!

Dame Rosemary Spencer DCMG, served in HM Diplomatic Service from 1962. She was Ambassador to the Netherlands from 1996 until her retirement in 2001. She has been a member of Chapter since 2001, and is also a member of the Cathedral Council.

Currently she is chairman of the Nikaean Club and of the Heinz Koeppler Trust for Wilton Park, as well as a member of the board of the Salisbury Festival. A resident of the Close, she enjoys walking, travel, theatre and the arts.

Speaking about the new Canons, the Dean said: "We are looking forward to welcoming these new members this month. The College plays a vital part in helping to engage in dialogue with the wide range of opinions and organisations spread throughout the Diocese."