Announcement 11th June 2019.

“The Court of the Royal Foundation of St Katharine is delighted to announce the appointment by Her Majesty The Queen, as Patron, of the Venerable Roger Preece as Master with effect from 30th September 2019 to succeed the Reverend Mark Aitken, who is retiring after seven years as Master on 31st August.

Roger is currently Archdeacon of St Helens and Warrington, in Liverpool Diocese, having served in that role since 2015, and having previously served as Vicar of Bowdon in Chester Diocese. He was ordained in the Church of England after a distinguished career in financial services in London. Among other roles Roger was a founding partner of Capco, the international financial markets consulting business.

The Reverend John Tattersall, Chair of the Court of the Royal Foundation of St Katharine, said: “I am delighted that Roger has accepted the appointment as the new Master of St Katharine’s. He brings a broad range of experience and skill to the role of Master, which will prove extremely valuable as St Katharine’s embarks on a major development of part of its site at Limehouse in East London, including a significant extension of its retreat and conference business and the establishment of a resident community. We were most impressed with the range of very talented candidates who applied for the post and believe that this reflects the reputation of St Katharine’s in London, the wider community in the UK and overseas from which its customers and supporters are drawn. I am really looking forward to working with Roger at this crucial stage in the long history of St Katharine’s.”

The Venerable Roger Preece said: “It has been a great privilege to serve in Liverpool Diocese as Archdeacon over the last four years. I have loved working with churches as they seek to grow numerically and spiritually and in their desire to make a bigger difference to their local communities.

It has been a great privilege to serve in Liverpool Diocese as Archdeacon over the last four years. I have loved working with churches as they seek to grow numerically and spiritually and in their desire to make a bigger difference to their local communities.

I am looking forward to being immersed in the life of St Katharine’s which connects to some amazing community projects in the Docklands area as well as having a national and international ministry of hospitality and sanctuary.

In the busyness of modern life, sacred places that allow people to step aside from the day to day are even more important than ever and I look forward to developing the spiritual and prayer life of the Foundation.

Having spent 16 years in international financial markets, I would be pleased to see how St Katharine’s can use its strategic position between Canary Wharf and the City of London to be a support to those working nearby.

I love the creativity of the Yurt cafe and look forward to seeing the new Precinct development bring even more opportunities for good food, hospitality and community life.”

Rt Revd Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool said:

“I am delighted for Archdeacon Roger that he has accepted this unique and exciting position at St Katherine’s. His gifts will enable this ancient religious community to grow still more fully into the twenty first century. Archdeacon Roger is a creative thinker and a strong innovator, and he has made a tremendous impact in our Diocese. I remain very glad that he has been with us here, and I will miss his energy and his creativity, but I’m delighted that Roger and Catherine have followed their calling to this ancient-yet-new and very special role in London My prayers are with them as they embark on this new phase of their ministry.”

Information about The Royal Foundation of St Katharine:

One of 14 Royal Peculiars, churches, chapels and communities of which the Queen is Patron, The Royal Foundation of St Katharine, established in 1147 as a hospice, has a fascinating 872 year history. Today, The Foundation operates a Retreat House and Conference Centre in Limehouse, London E14 www.rfsk.org.uk

Primary use of St Katharine’s is accommodating retreat events for groups and individuals and conferences for not for profit organisations and faith groups at accessible rates. The significant discounts offered to these groups are funded through commercial operation of the bedrooms and conference space at other times.

Contact for further information
Jonathan Byrne, Operations Director
jonathan@rfsk.org.uk
0300 111 1147