Gordon McPhate qualified in Medicine at Aberdeen, took a Master’s degree in Clinical Biochemistry at Surrey, and a research Doctorate in Physiology at Cambridge on the regulation of gluconeogenesis in human metabolism. He trained as a pathologist, and held academic posts in Physiology at the University of London, and Pathology at the University of St.Andrews, becoming consultant chemical pathologist to the Fife Hospitals, and directing research in diabetic nephropathy. He is in both the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Pathologists, and is also an Adjudicator for the General Medical Council.
Gordon trained as a priest in Cambridge, and holds degrees in Theology from both Cambridge and Edinburgh, specialising in the theology of Karl Barth and Medical Ethics. He was ordained and served his curacy in Southwark Diocese, where he later became Minor Canon of the Cathedral. Since his appointment as Dean of Chester, he has become Professor of Theology and Medicine at the University of Chester where he teaches postgraduate courses in Science and Religion, and Bioethics. He is a member of the Society of Ordained Scientists.
Gordon has an adopted son, three grandsons, and a granddaughter.

Canon Howell-Jones comes to Chester from Birmingham Cathedral, where he was Acting Dean as well as Diocesan Director of Mission and Evangelism with oversight of the Diocesan partnership with the Anglican Church in Malawi. He has travelled widely in Africa and has become a strong advocate of self-supporting communities and income generation initiatives that help being dignity and hope to marginalised communities.   

Originally from Liverpool, he studied music at Huddersfield School of Music and trained as a singer, organist and conductor. He studied theology at St John’s College, Nottingham and was ordained in Lichfield Cathedral in 1993. He spent five years at St Matthew’s, Walsall and later moved to be Vicar of St Michael’s, Boldmere, near Sutton Coldfield.

He is married with four children, and the family are looking forward to living in Chester. His parents live in Davenham and his sister lives in Macclesfield; in fact, this will be the nearest he has lived to his family since starting work!

Chris Humphries came to Chester Cathedral in 2005 after a long ministry as Vicar of Filey on the Yorkshire coast. As Precentor and Sacrist he has responsibility for coordinating and monitoring the whole offering of worship within the cathedral. This involves regular meetings with musicians, clergy, vergers, staff and volunteers. Chris is a hymnwriter and particularly enjoys the challenge of choosing some sixty hymns a month, all related to the themes and readings for each service. He is keen to introduce the best of new material being produced as well as drawing upon the rich heritage from the past.
Chris’ love of music and singing began during his time as a chorister at Waltham Abbey in Essex, and later as a choral scholar at St. John’s college, Cambridge under George Guest. He trained for the ordained ministry at St. John’s college, Nottingham, and after a curacy in Bradford, was a chaplain at Scargill House in the Yorkshire Dales. He is married to Barbara, and they have two daughters and a son. Chris is a keen cricketer and plays in the Diocesan clergy team. He enjoys keeping fit and ran the Chester half marathon with the Cathedral team in May 2008.

Residentiary Canon and Canon Chancellor:
The Revd Canon Jane Brooke

Canon Jane Brooke was installed as a Residentiary Canon on Saturday 11 September 2010. She is responsible for the education work of the Cathedral and is Canon Chancellor and Canon Librarian. She has a Bachelor of Education degree specialising in Renaissance literature and a Maths degree.
As an non-stipendiary priest Jane has been the Diocesan Adviser for Women's Ministry in Chester Diocese, Assistant Priest at St Georges Church Poynton, Priest in Charge at St Paul's Church Compstall , leader of Initial ministerial Training (IME) book reading group and a Ministerial Development Reviewer for clergy.
Jane has taught RE for over 20 years and taught pupils from ages 3  to 18. She worked for the Christian Education Movement (CEM now RE Today services) for 5 years and in local authorites for over 10 years as Religious Education Adviser and Principal Secondary School Improvement Adviser. Jane was chair of NASACRE (National Association for Standing Association Committee of Religious Education) for two years after having been deputy chair for over 5 years. She has lead Religious Education in-service for teachers and clergy nationally and internationally and is currently an independent consultant working for Local Authorities and the Chester Diocese. Jane is keen to enthuse teachers with using the creative arts to teach Religious Education. She is also a sub-editor for RE Today.

Before ordination, Peter Jenner was a research chemist and for a short time he taught science at secondary school level. Since ordination in the Diocese of Carlisle, he has served in two parishes, most recently on the edge of Stockport where his church and vicarage were on the top of the first hill of the Peak District. Between those two parish appointments he was chaplain to the University of Reading where he also spent some time in the Department of Chemistry. He has now returned to academia, as in parallel with his being part-time Residentiary Canon of this cathedral, most of his working week is spent in the University of Chester as ‘Senior Chaplain and Dean of Chapel’.

Peter’s interests include:
Music. He enjoys a wide range of pieces and styles. If ever cast away alone on a desert island, he would find it difficult to choose only one type of music to take with him. However, in the end it would inevitably be the works of Mahler.
Following sports. Since he grew up in Sale this naturally focuses on rugby union as well as cricket.
Hill-walking. He particularly loves the Lake District, where he can enjoy Wainwright’s guide books in situ.
Visual arts. He is a keen photographer and frequently likes to visit art galleries in his time off.
Crosswords. For many years, the weekly crossword in the Saturday magazine of the Independent newspaper not only has provided an excellent method of relaxation for the evening before Sunday duties, but also has kept Peter and his wife in champagne!

Peter is married to Vicki who is a teaching assistant. They have two children: Stephanie, a teacher who lives in South Derbyshire with her husband Rob, and Alexander who works for a vehicle parts supplier in Manchester.

Priest Pastor:
The Revd Christine Bull

I read English at London University in the 60s, which gave me a lifelong love of literature.  20 years working for an arts charity in the NHS confirmed for me the important connections between the arts and human well being and spirituality which have been a continuing thread throughout my ordained ministry, particularly in quiet days and retreats I have led. I have been a spiritual companion for 15 years and am comfortable with a variety of traditions.  Music, literature and the visual arts are a great source of encouragement and enlightenment to me on my own spiritual journey and provide many insights and signposts to God.

I trained on the Northern Ordination Course and was ordained in Chester Cathedral in 1994. Almost all my ministry has been in Chester Diocese and I came to the cathedral in 2008 as Priest Pastor, having particular responsibility for the pastoral care of the congregation, staff and volunteers, as well as preaching and participating in the liturgical life of the cathedral.  I spend 4 days a week in Chester and in between return to my home in New Mills.  Although a Manchester woman by background I count myself a Derbyshire woman by adoption, having lived more than half my life in the High Peak, where my younger son and family live. I have two sons, one disabled and one adopted and two grandchildren.

Cathedral Curate:
The Revd Dot Gosling

Dot Gosling is the curate at the Cathedral and has been here since being ordained deacon in July 2010. She is loving every minute of her time here and often wishes she could spend more time here, but her work does not allow for this. Dot is a professionally qualified youth worker and most of her time is spent facilitating students learning on the Christian Youth Work Programme at the University of Chester.
Dot is passionate about creative styles of worship and believes that there is no one correct style in which to worship God. Dot is equally at home in the Cathedral as she is in a form of emerging church (fresh expression) and being a member of the Iona Community is passionate about justice and peace issues as well as being accountable to each other and God for what we do and say.
Dot is part of the chaplaincy team at the university where she often leads the sung worship for the various services on wed evenings as part of the main chaplaincy service of the week. Taizé and Iona being the main two forms of services she is completely responsible for, but she did put together a U2charist and hopes to be able to do another one at some point!
Dot is known for her often changing hairstyles and colours, but this is really the only extroverted behaviour she engages in, as underneath it all she is deeply shy and introverted, but is a good performer.
Dot loves to sing and play her guitar or keyboard, loves being with her 2 daughters and her friends, but does not really like being in big groups! She is committed to growing and developing as a person and in her faith journey, including using technology to help her do that! Podcasts, twitter and facebook are all part of the way she tries to engage with that and hopefully to encourage others to do the same.