Revd Canon Chris Palmer to become Dean of Winchester
Downing Street has announced this morning that the Revd Canon Chris Palmer, currently Canon Treasurer at Exeter Cathedral, is to become Dean of Winchester.
Joining Exeter Cathedral in 2018 as Canon Chancellor, Chris was responsible for Pastoral Care and Mission and Christian Nurture and Education. In 2022, he transferred to become the cathedral’s Canon Treasurer, taking responsibility on behalf of Chapter for the cathedral building and its development. He has also been widely involved in the life of the City of Exeter and the Diocese, and has found time to make good use of his passion for Theological Education in the teaching of clergy and ordinands.
The Right Revd Philip Mountstephen, Bishop of Winchester looks forward to welcoming Chris to the cathedral in Winchester:
“I’m delighted that Canon Chris Palmer has accepted the nomination to be the next Dean of Winchester. He brings great experience of cathedral and parish ministry, sharp intelligence, a ready wit and deep faith. We look forward very much to welcoming him and Olivia here amongst us.”
Ahead of taking up his new role on 15 March 2026, Chris reflects on his time in Exeter:
“I have hugely enjoyed and grown through my time in Exeter, and will miss the cathedral and its people enormously. I am deeply grateful to the whole of Exeter Cathedral community. But I am also relishing a next adventure in Winchester, and getting to know its cathedral and diocese. I value your prayers as I prepare for this move.”
On behalf of Exeter Cathedral, the Very Revd Jonathan Greener, the Dean of Exeter, wishes Chris and his family the very best for the future:
“What a great role for Chris to be moving to. He’s done marvellous things for us here at Exeter Cathedral, not least in leading on our recent major building works, and we were well aware that at some point the wider Church would find out about him and want to make use of his wide-ranging talents and extraordinary energy. Winchester will be very blessed to have him. We shall all miss him hugely, but he and Olivia go with our love and our prayers and deep gratitude.”
Chris’ final Sunday in Exeter will be Sunday 1 March 2026.