Downing Street has this morning (Monday 5^th June 2017) announced that The Queen has approved the appointment of The Revd Canon Dr Stephen Hance as the next Dean of Derby. He succeeds The Very Revd John Davies as Dean, following his move to Wells Cathedral in 2016.

Dr Hance is to take up his position later in the year. He currently serves as Canon Missioner of Southwark Cathedral and Director of Mission and Evangelism for the Diocese of Southwark, a position that he has held since 2013. In this role, he has taken a lead on the outward-facing aspects of Southwark Cathedral's ministry and played a key role in developing diocesan mission strategy.

He will be bringing to Derby his years of experience promoting the mission of the Church and growing church congregations. During his time in Southwark he founded the Cathedrals and Growth Network which seeks to share good practice amongst cathedrals and enable them to grow in numbers, depth of faith and impact. He became a member of General Synod in 2015 and has published three books and contributed to others on Mission Action Planning, and sacraments and Fresh Expressions of church. He is currently editing a new book on forgiveness.

Stephen joins Derby Cathedral at an exciting period of change. A major building project to re-lead the nave roof is nearing completion, and follows the renewal of the Cathedral interior two years ago. Further plans for the building include the refurbishment of the unique Compton organ, the replacement of the fixed pews with moveable seating to make the building more accessible for services and events, and the use of digital technology to help visitors discover the historical and spiritual riches of the Cathedral. The project to open Derby Cathedral School, a new Church of England secondary school for the city, is well under way. Stephen will be pivotal in all these exciting developments for the Cathedral and the city of Derby.

Following a degree in Sociology at Portsmouth University, Stephen trained at St John’s Theological College, Nottingham before serving his curacy in the Diocese of Portsmouth. He went on to be Team Vicar in Finsbury Park, London and later joined Southwark Diocese in 1999 as Vicar of the Ascension, Balham Hill. During this time, he worked on various projects including the Just 10 South London Mission, The Maseno Project in Kenya and as Co-Host / Facilitator for The Global Leadership Summit in London.

Stephen is married to Jacqui and has three grown up children, Natalie, Simeon and Isaac.

The Revd Canon Dr Stephen Hance, the next Dean of Derby, said:

"I am thrilled and honoured to have been asked to serve as Dean of Derby. This is an exciting time for Derby Cathedral, as we seek to work for the common good and share the love of Jesus with the city. Our first family home was in the East Midlands, and we are looking forward to living and working here again."

The Rt Rev Dr Alastair Redfern, Bishop of Derby, said:

“I am delighted that Stephen has accepted the invitation to be the next Dean of Derby.  He brings a wealth of experience and expertise in parish ministry, cathedrals and mission. As we welcome Stephen and Jacqui and their family we look forward to an exciting new chapter in the life of our Cathedral and Diocese.”

The Revd Canon Dr Stephen Hance will be installed as Dean at a special service on Saturday 30 September at 11.00 am

after which he will be styled The Very Revd Dr Stephen Hance.

A brief biography follows:

Biography: Revd Canon Dr Stephen Hance

Born                16 April 1966 Kisumu, Kenya

1986-1989       Portsmouth University, B.Sc.(Hons) in Sociology

1990-1993       St John’s Theological College, Nottingham

                        B.Th.(Hons), 1992

                        M.A. in Mission and Ministry, 1993

2005-2009       Asbury Theological Seminary, Kentucky, USA (part-time)

                        D.Min. in Missional Church Leadership

1993-1996       Curate, St Jude’s, Southsea (Portsmouth)

1996-1999       Team Vicar, Tollington Team, Finsbury Park, London (London)

1997-1999       Member of Bishop of Stepney’s Council

1999-2004       Director of Post-Ordination Training, Kingston Episcopal Area

1999-present   Vicar, Ascension Balham Hill, London (Southwark

1999-present   Speaker/teacher on leadership and mission, UK and overseas

2002-2004       Initiator/Team Leader, Just 10 South London mission

2007-present   Trustee/Executive member, The Maseno Project, Kenya

2007-2011       Co-host/Facilitator, The Global Leadership Summit, London

2013-2017       Canon Missioner of Southwark Cathedral and Director of Mission and Evangelism for the Diocese of Southwark

2015                Member of General Synod

                        Founder of Cathedrals and Growth Network

                        Member of The Council Intercontinental Church Society

Publications:

For more information, or for interview requests, please contact Lucy Harrison, Communications Co-ordinator, Diocese of Derby on 01332 388680, or at lucy.harrison@derby.anglican.org