The Very Revd Stephen Waine Appointed as Interim Dean of Exeter

The Very Revd Stephen Waine Appointed as Interim Dean of Exeter

Following the announcement of the retirement of The Very Revd Jonathan Greener as Dean of Exeter, The Very Revd Stephen Waine has been appointed Interim Dean of Exeter by the Bishop of Exeter.

Stephen brings a wealth of experience in cathedral and parish ministry. He studied Economic and Social Studies at the University of East Anglia before training for the priesthood at Westcott House, Cambridge. Following his ordination, he served as Assistant Curate at St. Peter’s Collegiate Church in Wolverhampton, followed by a period as Minor Canon and Succentor of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

In 1993, Stephen was appointed Vicar of St Edward’s Romford, one of the Diocese of Chelmsford’s major town centre parishes. He progressed to become Archdeacon of Dorset in 2010, before being installed as Dean of Chichester in 2015, where he provided leadership to the Cathedral for eight years. He currently serves as Vicar of six rural parishes in Dorset.

The Right Revd Dr Mike Harrison, Bishop of Exeter looks forward to welcoming Stephen to Exeter:

“I am delighted that Stephen has accepted my invitation to become the interim Dean of Exeter Cathedral. Stephen brings rich experience of the role of Dean from his eight years as Dean in Chichester and is well versed as a Bishop’s staff member from that time and his previous role as Archdeacon of Dorset. He also has recent grounding in leading a rural multi parish benefice and will understand many of the challenges and opportunities churches face in Devon. I am looking forward to welcoming Stephen and Lizzie in the summer.”

Stephen will join Exeter Cathedral on Wednesday 1 July 2026, and will become Interim Dean from Saturday 1 August 2026.