Abbey Sub-Dean appointed Dean of Durham

The Dean of Durham provides leadership to over 100 members of staff and more than 700 volunteers. The Cathedral was founded in AD995 when the community of St Cuthbert arrived in Durham establishing a church and shrine which was later replaced by the Norman Cathedral which stands there today.

Canon Tremlett, who has been at the Abbey since 2010, said:

I am delighted to have the opportunity of becoming the next Dean of Durham, in a Cathedral rooted in the ancient Christian heritage of the North East and committed to serving the wider communities of the Diocese of Durham. It's great to be joining the Cathedral at such an exciting time when the Open Treasure project is coming to fruition and I look forward to working with new colleagues to make the most of this new venture to draw in visitors and pilgrims alike.

The past five years in Westminster Abbey have been full of national and international occasions, I will be sorry to say goodbye to wonderful colleagues and many friends: the Royal Wedding of 2011 and the 2014 Vigil Commemorating the outbreak of World War One stand out as unforgettable highlights. I have particularly enjoyed developing contacts with Parliament, Whitehall and Other Faith communities. Moving to the North East, I very much hope to continue engaging with people involved in politics, business, local government and the charitable sector.

The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall said:

Andrew Tremlett's ministry in his five years as Canon of Westminster and Rector of St Margaret's Church Westminster Abbey, and latterly as Sub-Dean, has greatly extended the relationship between the Abbey and our neighbours around Parliament Square and beyond. He has been the driving force in the establishment of the Westminster Abbey Institute and its first chairman. Just over a hundred years ago Andrew Tremlett's predecessor as Canon of Westminster and Rector of St Margaret's, Hensley Henson, became Dean of Durham at about the same age. We congratulate Andrew and the diocese, county and city of Durham on his appointment as Dean of Durham. Whilst we shall miss the major contribution Andrew has made to the mission of the Abbey, we wish him, Ali and all their family every blessing and happiness for the future.

The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler, said:

I am delighted that Andrew Tremlett has been appointed as the next Dean of Durham. He brings enormous experience of both cathedral and major church life to the role. He has great gifts in engaging with public life alongside the worship and teaching responsibilities that fall to a Dean. I know that he will see joining in with God's mission as top priority. I very much look forward to him, and his family, joining us as together we seek to "Bless our Communities in Jesus' name" for the transformation of us all.

Canon Tremlett joined the Abbey in 2010 from Bristol Cathedral where he was Acting Dean.

He began his ministry as a Curate at Torquay, St Matthias, St Mark and Holy Trinity in the diocese of Exeter, from 1989 to 1992. From 1992 to 1994 he was Chaplain to the Mission to Seafarers, and Assistant Chaplain in Rotterdam, in the diocese of Europe, and from 1994 to 1995 he was Chaplain. From 1995 to 1998 he was Team Vicar at Fareham Holy Trinity with St Columba in Portsmouth diocese. From 1998 to 2003 he was Chaplain to the Bishop of Portsmouth, and also a Parliamentary Research Assistant and Secretary to the Church of England's Doctrine Commission. From 2003 to 2008 he was Vicar of Goring-by-Sea in Chichester diocese. From 2008 to 2010 he was Canon Residentiary and Keeper of the Fabric at Bristol Cathedral; from June 2009 to May 2010 he was Acting Dean of the Cathedral.