New appointment announced for St Albans Cathedral
The Reverend Richard Watson is to become the new Sub-Dean of St Albans Cathedral.
The appointment was announced during services at the cathedral on Sunday 17 April, Palm Sunday.
Mr Watson has been Rector of St Mary's, East Barnet, since 2003 and also Area Dean of Barnet and Associate Minister at Barnet Brookside Methodist Church.
The Dean of St Albans, the Very Reverend Jeffrey John, welcomed the appointment.
"All of us at the Abbey who were involved in his appointment are delighted that Richard is to be our next Sub Dean.
"I feel we should apologize to St Mary's East Barnet, which was founded by the Abbey, for stealing him. I am sure he will be as popular and successful here as he has been there," he said.
Mr Watson has a wide experience of working with young people and children, helping the Diocesan Board of Education to resource church schools across the diocese and having worked with the Diocesan Youth Service.
Speaking about his appointment, Richard Watson said: "We've had a fantastic eight years in East Barnet and to be honest, expected to have a few more!
"It is a huge privilege to be joining the team at the cathedral where I was ordained 18 years ago, and we are very much looking forward to settling in and getting to know the community and the City of St Albans better."