New Dean for Southwell Minster Announced

The Revd Canon Dr Stephen Evans has been appointed as the new Dean of Southwell.

New Dean for Southwell Minster Announced.

Dr Evans has been Rector of St Marylebone in central London for the last sixteen years, and before served as Rector of Uppingham and the Rural Dean of Rutland.

In welcoming Stephen to his new role, the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul Williams, said,

‘I know that Stephen will bring considerable experience, wisdom and vision for the further development of the Minster. We are thrilled he will be taking on this senior role in the diocese at a time of exciting growth and development, as we seek to make a bigger difference in every community.’

Stephen said,

‘It is a great joy to have been asked by Bishop Paul to become the next Dean of Southwell and to be returning to the East Midlands. I am indebted to the Revd Canon Dr Neil Evans who has brought so much to the cathedral and Chapter through his time as Interim Dean and I am looking forward to working alongside my Minster colleagues and the congregation in proclaiming the hope-filled message of God’s healing and reconciling love, throughout the county, city, towns and villages of Nottinghamshire and beyond.’

The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Sarah Mullally DBE said,

‘Over the past 15 years, Stephen has been a faithful shepherd of the congregation at St Marylebone whilst showing an extraordinary desire to bring transformation to the broader community.

‘Stephen has embraced numerous community roles – from Vice-Chair of two schools to Chaplain across four local hospitals. His vision for renewal and dedication to people’s holistic needs shine through in the church’s initiatives like ‘Changing Lives’, which grew into one of London’s largest community projects.

‘He will be a huge loss to Marylebone and the Diocese, but I am confident he will be a source of great blessing to Southwell and Nottingham in his new role as Dean.’

A former Midshipman at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Stephen was born in Wales. Prior to ordination, he was a Navigator and Warfare Officer in the Royal Navy, read Theology at the University of Oxford, and undertook postgraduate studies at the University of Aberdeen. He was ordained as a Priest in Scotland in 1986 and has spent two years working with the Mission to Seamen.

Stephen is married to Diana Evans MBE, Head of Places of Worship at Historic England and they have an adult daughter, Lydia.

Stephen will be installed as the Dean of Southwell at Choral Evensong in Southwell Minster on 19th April 2026 at 3.30pm.