More than 500 invited guests and members of the public are expected to attend the installation of the new Dean of Derby, The Very Rev Dr Jeff Cuttell, which is taking place on Saturday 13 September at 3.00pm.

He succeeds Martin Kitchen, who resigned from the post in December 2007.
The arrival of a new Dean is a significant moment for both the City of Derby and the county of Derbyshire as a whole. As Dean, Jeff, (49), will lead the ministry of Derby Cathedral and will work alongside the public, private and voluntary sectors to enhance the well being of communities across Derby and Derbyshire.

Jeff arrives in Derby from the parishes of Astbury and Smallwood in the Diocese of Chester, where he has been since 1999. He has also been the Rural Dean of Congleton, since 2004, overseeing the ministry of 20 parishes.

Jeff is no stranger to Derbyshire and has strong family ties with the county. Both his father and grandfather were local miners and for a time he attended school in Chaddesden, before the family moved to Ravenshead in Nottinghamshire.

His varied background, including posts in the military, broadcasting and lecturing have brought a wide perspective to his parish work.

Jeff’s first duty as Dean of Derby will be to lead the annual remembrance services in Arnhem, Holland, which commemorates those airborne forces that were lost in the Battle of Arnhem in 1944. He will also be speaking at the Bridge to the Future Foundation’s conference on resolving modern conflicts.

Speaking of his new role, Jeff said: “I am delighted to be returning to Derbyshire, a county that means so much to me and my family.

“Healthy churches are those which thoroughly engage with the community and there is a strong tradition of this in Cathedral ministry, which is why I am so excited at the prospect of this post.

“As a Rural Dean I learned the benefits of bringing people to work together to achieve things that couldn’t be done apart. There are many opportunities for partnership presented by the continued regeneration of the City of Derby and the launch of the Cathedral Quarter, and I look forward to this immensely.

“I’ve had an unusual career path, beginning with nuclear physics, moving into theology and philosophy, with big dollops of practical experience with the media and the military mixed in. The common thread has been my passion for exploring the biggest questions we can ask: Why are we here? Is there a God? How should we live? Helping people reflect on these questions in the light of the Christian Gospel is where my heart lies. I have no doubt this will continue to be at the center of my ministry as Derby’s Dean.

“ I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Diocese for their unwavering support to the Cathedral over the past two years; I look forward to working with them in the future,” added Jeff.

Commenting on Jeff’s forthcoming installation, The Rt. Rev. Dr Alistair Redfern, Bishop of Derby said: “On behalf of the Diocese I would like to offer Jeff and his family the warmest welcome to Derbyshire and to the Diocese.

“He brings a wide range of skills and experience, which will greatly enrich our Cathedral at a time of great opportunity. He has served the church with conspicuous ability in parish ministry, the wider church and in broadcast and communication. The Cathedral team and I look forward to working with him and helping him to get to know the people of the city and county.”

On behalf of the Cathedral staff and community, Acting Dean and Archdeacon of Derby the Ven Dr Christopher Cunliffe said: “We are delighted that someone of Jeff’s calibre and wide experience is coming to be our Dean. We look forward to working with him to address the great opportunities at the Cathedral.”

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