New Canon Pastor appointed at St Paul's

The Chapter and entire community of St Paul’s is delighted to announce the appointment of the Reverend Tricia Hillas as the Cathedral’s new Canon Pastor.

Tricia is currently Vicar of St Barnabas in Northolt and formerly the Sub-Dean for Northolt, Perivale and Greenford. Born inKuala Lumpur, Tricia trained as a social worker, before ordination in 2002. She has worked in the Diocese of London since then. Recently, Tricia has completed her MSc in conflict resolution and mediation.

Married to Andrew, Tricia loves adventure travelling and experiencing new people and cultures. In recent years she has trekked to Everest Base camp and made an assault on Kilimanjaro. When not on world-wide adventures she can regularly be spotted at Vicarage Road, supporting her beloved Watford FC.

As Canon Pastor, Tricia will oversee the welfare and training of all people at St Paul’s, with a specific focus on marketing, enterprises, communications, HR and development. She will lead the pastoral mission and develop relationships and chaplaincy-style support for regular worshippers and people of Christian faith across London.

Speaking of her appointment, Tricia said: "For over 1,400 years the community of St Paul's has sought to live and to share the amazing news that God is with and alongside each of us; present every moment, in times of individual and national celebration and desolation. I am absolutely delighted, and if I'm honest a little astonished, to be invited to join the community of St Paul's at this time, in what seems to be a significant phase in the life and ministry of the Cathedral. I am sure it will be a great adventure and look forward to the many opportunities, and no doubt challenges, ahead."

The Very Reverend David Ison, Dean of St Paul’s, said: ”We are delighted to be able to welcome Tricia and Andrew to St Paul's. Tricia’s experience of engaging with a wide variety of disadvantage as a social worker in London complements her parish experience in ways which fit her well for this caring and outward-looking post. We also look forward to seeing how she will apply her studies in the theology of laughter!”

Tricia is only the third female Residentiary Canon in the history of St Paul’s and this will be the first time the Cathedral has had two female Canons at the same time. Of the eight full-time priests, three will now be women.

Tricia will be installed early in 2014. She replaces the Right Reverend Michael Colclough, who retired last month.