Diocese of Chichester

Darren Oliver, the diocesan deputy registrar since February 2019, has now been formally sworn in by the Bishop of Chichester as the Registrar of the Diocese of Chichester.

Darren, a solicitor and partner at Winckworth Sherwood, has been undertaking the registrar’s duties since Matthew Chinery left to become Head of Legal Services for the Church in Wales in March of last year.

Ordinarily a formal swearing in would take place at the cathedral but Covid 19 restrictions had prevented that. Instead, the ceremony took place in London when both the Bishop and Darren were attending business together.

Gabrielle Higgins, Diocesan Secretary, said: “I am immensely grateful for the high quality of service Darren has been providing over the past year. I speak on behalf of the whole diocese when I say it is our pleasure that he has agreed to take on this more substantive post.”

Aiden Hargreaves Smith, Head of the Ecclesiastical department at Winckworth Sherwood, said: “I am delighted that Darren has now been formally appointed. The firm greatly values the relationship we have with the Diocese of Chichester, and we look forward to continuing to offer advice and support to the Diocese in ever more challenging and complex times.”

The Registry continues to be based at Winckworth Sherwood’s offices at London Bridge, with Anne-Marie Organ, the Registry Clerk, continuing to be the first port of call for Registry and other legal queries.

Darren continues as joint registrar for Oxford Diocese.