Gloucester Cathedral announces new Chief Operating Officer and Chapter Steward

With extensive experience in finance, property and HR, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the role. His formative career was spent as an Officer in the British Army for nearly two decades, where he held roles in leadership. More recently, he has spent the last 15 years working as a Bursar in the education sector, working at Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools and before that at Sherborne Preparatory School. He was instrumental in modernising financial operations in Erskine and worked to build relationships with key partners.

The Chief Operating Officer and Chapter Steward is the most senior non-ordained person in the Cathedral. It supports the Dean of Gloucester and Chapter, the Cathedral’s governing body, in the management of all operational aspects of the Cathedral’s life, including staffing, property and financial functions, helping in the delivery of the Cathedral’s mission and strategy: to be in tune with heaven and in touch with daily life.

Barry’s appointment comes at an exciting time for Gloucester Cathedral, as its ambitious In Tune music and organ campaign has already surpassed the halfway mark toward funding a new Cathedral organ. This ambitious project will not only enhance worship and performance, but also open doors for people from a wide variety of backgrounds to access world-class musical education here at the Cathedral. The Cathedral will also soon be entering the next phase of its Cloister Project, which aims to protect and conserve the beautiful medieval Cloister. The Cloister Project will seek to ensure the Cathedral’s famous Cloister, considered an architectural gem, is protected for future generations.

The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester, said:

“I am delighted that the Cathedral Chapter has appointed Barry McMaster as the new Chief Operating Officer and Chapter Steward of Gloucester Cathedral. Barry brings with him considerable experience in finance, property and HR (among many other things) and will no doubt be an excellent fit to the Cathedral community. We look forward to welcoming him, his wife and three children to Gloucester later this spring.”

Barry added:

“I am thrilled to be appointed as the COO of the magnificent Gloucester Cathedral and to serve both the Cathedral and the local community. I look forward to working with the brilliant team and supporting the amazing work already in progress and being planned.”

ENDS

For more press information, please contact:

Elspeth Keep, Marketing and Communications Manager at Gloucester Cathedral:

Elspeth.keep@gloucestercathedral.org.uk