St Paul’s Cathedral recently saw the installation of The Venerable Sheila Watson as Additional Chapter Member and Canon Non-Residentiary in a service led by the Bishop of London.

In her new role, which marks the first time a cleric has been appointed to this office at St Paul’s, Sheila will support the work of the Chapter in its governance of the Cathedral, including its strategic direction and ongoing development, serving alongside the Dean of St Paul’s and four Residentiary Canons, as well as two other Additional Chapter Members. She will hold this role alongside her appointment as Preacher at Lincoln’s Inn which she takes up in April.

Prior to taking up her new role at St Paul’s, Canon Watson previously served as Archdeacon of Canterbury. She was one of the first women to be ordained a deacon in 1987 and then a priest in 1994, at a service also held at St Paul’s. As a priest she has worked across a number of different parishes in Scotland, the North East of England and London and has also played a leading role in the selecting and training of new clergy.

Sheila said of her appointment “It is an enormous privilege to be invited to join the Chapter at St Paul’s, which is not only an iconic cathedral, but also plays a hugely important role within the Diocese of London and wider Christian community. The history of my time with the church has important personal links with St Paul’s, as it was where I was ordained as a deacon and priest. I very much look forward to taking up my new position and working to help develop St Paul’s mission in London.”