Paul Baumann appointed Receiver General of Westminster Abbey
Thursday, 21st June 2018
Paul Baumann CBE has been appointed the next Receiver General of Westminster Abbey. He is currently NHS England's Chief Financial Officer and will replace Sir Stephen Lamport GCVO DL, who is standing down in November after ten years in the post.
The Receiver General and Chapter Clerk holds the most senior lay position in the Abbey. He is in effect the Abbey’s chief executive, working closely with the Dean and Chapter on strategic and operational matters and on major events. He also takes direct responsibility for the overall management of the Abbey’s financial, administrative, protocol, fabric and security affairs. He leads the senior management team and exercises responsibility for the lay staff of the Abbey.
Paul grew up in Dorset and read Modern and Medieval Languages at St Catharine's College, Cambridge. During a 22 year career in Unilever’s UK and international businesses he held senior Board positions in Ireland and Germany before taking up a global role focused on finance excellence and innovation. He joined NHS London, the Strategic Health Authority for the Capital, as its first Chief Financial Officer in May 2007 and took up his current position in May 2012.
Paul is married with three children. He is a practising church musician and will shortly be joining the Board of the Academy of Ancient Music. He currently serves on the Council of Guildford Cathedral.
He will be formally installed as Receiver General at Evensong on Saturday 24th November.
The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said:
Paul Baumann has been appointed from a very strong field of candidates. The role of the Receiver General and Chapter Clerk has been held by people of great distinction, including Sir Stephen Lamport who leaves in November after ten years’ service. The Dean and Chapter greatly looks forward to working with Paul and welcoming him and his family to the Abbey.
Paul Baumann said:
Westminster Abbey occupies a unique position at the centre of our national life, and I am delighted to be taking up the role of Receiver General at a time when the Abbey has unprecedented opportunities to build on its heritage of excellence in ministry and service. I very much look forward to working with the Dean and Chapter, and with the wider Abbey family, in pursuit of the ambitious vision to place faith firmly at the heart of our immediate community, our country and the wider world.
