College of Canons

President – The Very Revd Andy Bowerman

Andy has been married to Ali for more than 30 years, has 4 children and 1 grandson – he considers these his greatest achievements, along with the 20 foster children who have passed through the family. He holds post-graduate qualifications in social work, elite sports chaplaincy and intercultural coaching. During the mid 90’s he and Ali lived in Pakistan supporting refugees and those vulnerable to HIV/AIDS while quietly supporting house churches. On return he became a Director with a national disability charity before training to for the priesthood, being ordained in Bradford Cathedral in 2002.

Since then he has started a church in a café/restaurant where he was also the chef, explored creative ways of helping people engage with struggles in life, opened a young peoples community hub & ice cream parlour and led churches in Yorkshire, Dorset and Somerset. He spent 4 years working for the Anglican Communion leading the focus on poverty and justice issues. He was Chaplain at Bradford City FC for 5 seasons following this with 11 seasons at Southampton FC. From 2018 he was based in Dubai working with the Mission to Seafarers. Serving across the Middle East and South Asia, focusing on developing a culturally agile mission centred team on 3 continents. Andy & Ali love to see people of all backgrounds flourish.

The Rt Revd Smitha Prasadam
(Bishop of Huddersfield)

Smitha’s appointment as Bishop of Huddersfield has meant a welcome return to Yorkshire, having previously studied English Literature and Linguistics at the College of Ripon and York St John, (University of Leeds). 

“It’s so good to be serving the people of God’s own county,” said Smitha, who has come to us from Copenhagen, where she served the Anglican Church in Denmark since 2018.

 “This is where I came as a student and began my journey so it holds a special place in my heart. I’m excited to be working together with colleagues in parishes and communities throughout Kirklees and Calderdale to encourage people in confident discipleship, and joining with cultural, educational, commercial and inter-faith partners to support this wonderful place and its people in common cause.”

Born into the Church of South India, Smitha and her family then moved to the Anglican Church in Wales. Both her parents were pioneer mission partners with the Church Missionary Society, and her mother was the first Indian woman ordained in the UK. 

Smitha and her family have lived in different places across the UK: “Home is anywhere and everywhere and hospitality both at the Lord’s table and the kitchen table makes me happy!” 

As Bishop’s Adviser, Smitha initiated the Racial Justice Working Group in the Diocese of Europe.  As a member of the Archbishop’s Transformations Steering Group she championed women’s vocational pathways for flourishing.

Smitha is passionate about liturgy which breathes life into ancient texts so that they can be heard with new meaning and relevance.

She is known for mission and partnership with children and young people in schools.

She has served as Bishop’s Racial Justice Adviser, Vocations Adviser and Chair of the House of Clergy in the Diocese in Europe, and as a member of the General Synod, the Liturgical Commission, St John’s College Council Durham, FGPSC and is Chair of Anglican Minority Ethnic Network (AMEN).

The Rt Revd Tony Robinson
(Wakefield Episcopal Area)

Tony Robinson moved to West Yorkshire in 1997 to be Archdeacon of Pontefract. He was consecrated Bishop of Pontefract in 2002. In his curacy in Tottenham he experienced the diversity of contemporary urban Britain, and some of the tensions that can be generated in in places that feel abandoned and neglected.

The other parishes and Dioceses that Tony has served in during his ministry have also been urban, multi-ethnic and multi-faith; as well as sustaining the Church community, there has always been the challenge of engaging with all the different communities in an area to develop understanding and work towards a more cohesive common life.

In West Yorkshire, Tony’s work has been continued his commitment to interfaith issues and community cohesion, to develop knowledge, understanding and his determination to create opportunities for the different faith communities to work together in the area.

Sharing food has been a key element in bringing together people from different cultures, and Tony has enjoyed the variety of cuisines that he has sampled. He also enjoys cooking, music and the theatre. Through work he has also learned to enjoy travel, visiting Pakistan, India and
Tanzania in recent years.

The Ven Paul Ayers
(Archdeacon of Leeds)

The Venerable Paul Ayres has strong Bradford connections. Born and brought up in Little Horton, he attended Bradford Grammar School before university in Oxford and training for ministry in Bristol. He served as curate of Clayton and Keighley, was Vicar of Wrose and then of Pudsey, before being made Archdeacon of Leeds in February 2017. His first memory of the Cathedral is attending the annual school Founder’s Day Service, complete with rousing rendition of Stanford’s Te Deum by all the assembled boys. He is delighted that he now knows and serves the One to whom that great hymn of praise is addressed.

The Ven Jonathan Gough
(Archdeacon of Richmond & Craven)

Jonathan grew up in rural Devon and trained for ordination at Lampeter and Oxford. He was a curate in North Devon and in Gloucester, before joining the Royal Army Chaplains Department in 1989.

He served as an Army chaplain in garrisons and training units in the UK and in Germany, and deployed with soldiers on operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Kosovo.

His service included tours of duty as Senior Chaplain to Catterick Garrison, and to the Army Foundation College, Harrogate.

In 2001 he left the Regular Army to become Ecumenical Secretary to the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace, working for both Dr George Carey and Dr Rowan Williams.

In 2005 he returned to regular military service, deploying to Iraq, and later to Afghanistan as the Senior Chaplain to the British Forces. He returned to northern England as the regional senior chaplain for Yorkshire and the North East from 2011-14 and served as the Assistant Chaplain General to the British Army until his appointment as Archdeacon of Richmond and Craven in this diocese earlier this year. He was appointed an Honorary Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral, Nicosia, Cyprus in 2006.

Vacant
(Archdeacon of Pontefract)

Revd Canon Ned Lunn
Intercultural Mission and the Arts

Ned grew up in Kent and lived in that area and around London until 2009 when he moved up to Durham to train for ordained ministry. Before that he worked in the theatre and the arts as a producer, director, designer and venue manager often consulting on projects, audience development and funding.

He was ordained in York Minster in 2012 and served in the parish of Acomb until 2017 when he moved to Sheffield to be the vicar of St Peter’s, Greenhill until 2022. During this time his first wife, Sarah, died (in 2018) and he met and married Philippa who brought him to Bradford in April 2022. Since then he served voluntarily alongside Bishop Toby Howarth as his advisor on faith engagement with City of Culture 2025. This role put him in contact with Bradford Cathedral and, after an interim post, joined the clergy team full time in January 2023.

Ned loves puzzles, games, food and books. He speaks and writes on art and faith, philosophy and politics. You can read some of his work on his website.

Revd Pete Gunstone
Worship and Nurture

Pete’s working life as a musician, prior to ordination, included periods of operation as an employed and self-employed person, working in a wide range of professional and amateur organizations, often linked to churches and Christian events. These roles involved a level of responsibility for compliance, finance, HR, and other operations.

Ordained in 2019, Pete served his title in the planting of Fountains Church Bradford, an ambitious and challenging project, initially fully funded by the Church of England. He was both a member of its management team and was a trustee of its governing body, a Community Interest Organisation, from June 2019 to May 2023.

Appointed Interim Precentor at Bradford Cathedral in September 2022, Pete became Minor Canon for Worship and Nurture in May 2023. This role involves overseeing all aspects of the liturgical life of the Cathedral, including managing aspects of the related work teams, and being the Cathedral’s Safeguarding Officer.

Pete is also a trustee of the Scargill Movement, which oversees Scargill House, a Christian community, holiday, conference and retreat centre in the Yorkshire Dales.

He is married to Kirsten and enjoys outdoor activities, especially walking in the Scottish mountains.

Mrs Sharron Arnold

Term expires 2024

Born in Kent, brought up in the Channel Islands and now living in Bingley, West Yorkshire.

Sharron is qualified as a Chartered Accountant and spent her career in both practice and industry.  Sharon was previously Chair of the Bradford Diocesan Board of Finance and previously a Governor for Bradford Forster Academy, a church school in inner city Bradford.  She was appointed Bishop’s Representative on Chapter at the same time as she was made a Lay Canon of Bradford Cathedral.

Sharron and husband Richard worship at The Eldwick Church, a local ecumenical partnership established with the Methodist chapel in Eldwick 10 years ago.

“It is a great privilege to be a member of Chapter, bringing my finance skills to the table but also offering an independent view in meetings.  One positive outcome from Covid was that I joined the clergy and others in the congregation on a regular basis for Evening Prayer via Zoom.  This has now become an integral part of each day.

When not busy in meetings I enjoy cooking and after a lapse of many years am now trying to get to grips with knitting again.”

Baroness Margaret Eaton DBE DL

Term expires October 2024

I am a very committed Bradfordian, born and educated in the District. My parents were very involved in the life and work of St Margaret’s Thornbury and I am eternally grateful for the strong Catholic Anglican faith base of my home and family.

My career started in teaching which I found to be very fulfilling. I spent thirty years as an elected member of Bradford Metropolitan District and I was proud to serve as the Council Leader from 2000 to 2006.

Since 2010 I have been privileged to serve as a Member of the House of Lords. I am glad to be able to bring my experience of life in our northern city as a contribution to the legislative process. I am always delighted to return north to worship at St.Chads in Manninhgam .

Mr Terry Henry

Term expires November 2028

Mr Terry J. Henry (TJ) is married to Meg, Co-Director of The Linking Network, and is blessed with 3 wonderful adult children. Born in Nottingham, with Jamaican parents, he came to Bradford to do a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He led a local church in Bradford for 20 years. This church work included a particular focus on young people, including helping to lead the U:nite cross city youth work. It also included the promotion of church unity through helping to lead the P4B (Prayer For Bradford) network of ministers across the Christian denominations in praying for our metropolitan district and connecting with civic society.

Before, during and after leading the local church he worked in management consultancy, with a consultancy based in Cambridge. Terry’s consulting work focused on management & organisation development to facilitate change and performance improvement.

Terry has been active in his local community, arranging local community building events as well as being involved in Muslim-Christian relations, including being part of a Christian-Muslim delegation to London from Bradford after the terrorist attacks on Westminster bridge in 2017. Currently, he is the vice-chair of Trustees of Fountains Church Bradford and works full time for the NHS in Organisational Development. He enjoys playing tennis, hiking and spending time with family and friends.

Mr Mike Moss

Term expires November 2028

Michael (Mike) Moss – born in Shipley December 1953. Initially attended Saltaire congregational church until the family decided to move to worship at St Peter’s Shipley about 60 years ago where I have worshiped ever since.

Helped lead youth groups there where I met Christine my wife of 46 years, we have two adult children and four grandchildren.
After obtaining a Computer Science degree at Manchester University I worked in IT for 45 years before retiring in 2019. During covid I worked as a vaccinator for a local pharmacy and since as a seasonal lockkeeper at Bingley 5 & 3 Rise.

I was churchwarden at St Peter’s for 9 years and have been treasurer for the last 8 years. I have also been lay chair of the Airedale deanery and then Aire & Worth deanery for 20 years finishing that in September. I am a member of diocesan synod and in the Bradford diocese was a member of the finance committee and Bishop’s council.

I have served on teams at the New Wine Summer conferences for over 20 years and currently lead the Welcome teams for the main worship venues.

Outside the church I am an active runner and have held numerous roles in St Bede’s AC later renamed as Saltaire Striders, have served on the regional council and the national council and served 4 years on the England Athletic Board. I am currently the event director for Lister Park parkrun, Bradford

Mr Chris Wontner-Smith

Term expires October 2024

The Revd Canon John Bavington
(King Alfred)

I grew up in Pakistan, arriving in the UK in 1985. I began ministry in 1991 as a youth worker, trained for ordination at Trinity College Bristol, and served a curacy in London. I moved “up north” in 2002 to St Clement’s, Barkerend Rd. From there the Lord led us to a chaplaincy at Giggleswick School, and a role with Settle Churches Together. For the last four years I have served as vicar of St John’s Great Horton. I’m married to Jeanie, I love living in Bradford, a fan of Crystal Palace FC, and love playing sport.

The Revd Canon Kathia Shoesmith
(Queen Ethelburga)

Kathia was ordained at Wakefield Cathedral and served her curacy in the Benefice of Ripponden with Rishworth and Barkisland with West Scammonden. She then served as Vicar of St John, Bradshaw and St Andrew, Holmfield, and Priest-in-Charge of St Thomas, Claremount, as well as serving as Area Dean of Halifax and Calder Valley Deanery and Brighouse and Elland Deanery. She is currently the Vicar of Christ Church, Skipton and St Mary the Virgin, Carleton in Craven. Prior to ordination she was a Psychiatric Nurse Therapist and she continues to have an interest in mental health and inner healing. She is the proud mum of 4 children and granny of 4 grandchildren. 

The Revd Canon Gary Hodgson
(St Paulinus)

More information coming soon

The Revd Canon Mark Poulson
(St Columba)

National Adviser for Inter Religious Relations for last three years. Married to Anna who is also ordained, we have three children aged between 5 and 12: Oscar, Esther and Clement. Have lived in Southall in West London for 15 years, 11 as Vicar. Interested in multi ethnic church growth, regeneration, current affairs, popular culture, football, education, film and literature. Formerly a secondary school English teacher in Smethwick and West Bromwich in the West Midlands. Committed to Fresh Expressions of Church in urban contexts and creative kingdom thinking.

The Revd Canon Phil Stone
(St Oswald)

Phil and Di came to Scargill from London in 2010 to re-establish a community with a ministry centred around a generous hospitality. The resurrected Scargill has been an adventure where God’s loving presence has been experienced by community and guests. Phil is a Londoner where he was a vicar for 22 years in two inner-city parishes in Hackney and Harlesden as well as being the Area Dean of Brent. Phil and Di have four grown up children and are blessed with five grandchildren. He enjoys walking, reading, films, people and the challenge of being a Spurs fan.

Professor Udy Archibong MBE

Term expires December 2025

Professor Uduak Archibong MBE is Professor of Diversity at the University of Bradford, where she directs the Centre for Inclusion and Diversity and provides strategic oversight for equality and diversity across the institution. Udy was awarded the MBE in the 2015 Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for her services to higher education and equality. She is Visiting Professor at several international universities, a Fellow of the West African College of Nursing and a Fellow of the Royal College of Nursing. She is a member of the Chartered Management Institute. Udy is recognised as an international thought leader in inclusion and diversity. Much of her work has focused on inclusive workplaces, representative diversity and diversity-competent leadership in public, private and third sector organisations.

Ms Furaha Mussanzi (Independent)

Term expires March 2027

Furaha Mussanzi is a community activist passionate about social justice and the using her faith to promote peace and justice. She studied Interior Design at Liverpool John Moores University then proceeded to do an internship at St James in the city as a Community Organiser. Having grown up in a war-torn Congo (DRC), she completed her MA in African Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Bradford and over the last 7 years has worked locally serving the needs of vulnerable people including asylum seekers and refugees, domestic abuse victims and young people. She enjoys music, storytelling and traveling.

The Rt Revd Marcus Stock (RC Bishop of Leeds)

Term expires March 2025

Bishop Marcus studied theology at Oxford University and trained for Holy Orders at the Venerable English College and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Ordained Priest in 1988, he served in parishes of the Archdiocese of Birmingham until 2009, as well as Director of Schools from 1999-2009. After five years as General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops; Conference of England and Wales, he was appointed by Pope Francis in 2014 as the tenth Bishop of Leeds and Ordained to the Episcopate in Leeds Cathedral. He is also Chair of the Catholic Education Service for England and Wales. He was installed as an Ecumenical Canon of Bradford Cathedral in 2016.