Paul Baumann installed as Receiver General

Monday, 14th January 2019

Paul Baumann CBE, formerly Chief Financial Officer of the NHS, was installed as the Receiver General and Chapter Clerk of Westminster Abbey during the First Evensong of the Baptism of Christ on Saturday 12th January 2019.

He was formally led to his seat in the Quire by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall.

The Receiver General and Chapter Clerk holds the most senior lay position in the Abbey. He works 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.

Canon Jane Sinclair reads a lesson

The Dean leads Paul Baumann to his stall in the Quire

The Dean gives the Sermon

Paul Baumann 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 became Chief Financial Officer of the NHS in May 2012.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and was awarded a CBE for his services to NHS financial management in the 2018 New Year's Honours.

Paul Baumann is married with three children. He is a practising church musician and a member of the Board of the Academy of Ancient Music. As a member of the Howard Partnership Trust he is also responsible for the governance of a large Multi-Academy Trust based in Surrey.

Order of Service for First Evensong of the Baptism of Christ with the Installation of Paul Baumann CBE as Receiver General (PDF, 379KB)

Listen to the Sermon (audio file on an external website)