Diocese of Chichester

Gabrielle announced the news to staff at the Diocesan Office earlier today saying that, although it had been a difficult decision, she believed the time was right for her and the Diocese after nine years at the helm.

Gabrielle confirmed that she hopes to travel and enjoy croquet as she contemplates the future. She will continue working until January: “January 2024 will mark for me nine years in post as Diocesan Secretary. It has been an immensely fulfilling period of my life, but after much prayerful consideration, I have decided to step down then, principally to take the opportunity to travel as well as to try to build on my recent improvement at Association Croquet."

She added: “It has been a privilege to serve the Diocese of Chichester, and it will be a wrench to leave. I am proud of the service provided by my hard-working colleagues at Church House, and it has been a joy to work with them, the senior clergy and the wider diocese. I have been inspired by both the faithful devotion and the creative innovation of so many clergy and laity across Sussex. The diocese today feels to be in a very different place from where it was in 2015, and I am glad to have been able to play my part in that development. I will continue to take a keen interest, to be involved where I suitably can, and to hold the diocese in my prayers.”

Bishop Martin today paid glowing tribute to her contribution to the household of faith which makes up the Chichester Diocese:

“The news of Gabrielle’s decision to take a career break brings mixed emotions that include admiration, gratitude and apprehension about the task of finding a successor.

“Gabrielle was identified as a potential Diocesan Secretary by a small team that used its own recruitment networks. Her background in the law, her considerable intellect, and an insider’s knowledge of the Church of England, made her an interesting candidate, in spite of not having experience of diocesan administration.

“Her skills and experience have been indispensable navigating the considerable challenges of the past 9 years. She has applied herself to meeting new demands, in building and leading an amazing team, winning respect across the diocese, engaging with the mysterious working of the Church of England, and finding time to be a world-class croquet champion.

“Gabrielle will always have the gratitude and respect of those who know her utter integrity, attention to detail and unstinting personal commitment. We hope that time to travel will now provide an opportunity for thorough refreshment. We shall miss her greatly. She bequeaths to her successor a team and an administration that is testimony to her many remarkable achievements.”

Lesley Lynn, Chair of the Diocesan Board of Finance, added this tribute:

“When I first encountered the Chichester Diocesan Board of Finance in 2017, John Booth (the then chair) told me that my task would be made smooth through his recent hiring of a wonderful Diocesan Secretary, and he introduced me to Gabrielle. Since I was so green in the ways of the Diocese and didn’t properly understand the scope of the role of a Diocesan Secretary, I failed to grasp what he meant, but enjoyed meeting this intelligent, cheerful person with a keen sense of humour.

Lesley added: “Climbing up the steep learning curve in the Diocesan Board of Finance, I soon properly appreciated what a blessing it was to work with such a dedicated, hardworking and quick-witted person in one of the mission critical roles in the Diocese. During the COVID pandemic, Gabrielle steered the organisation through uncharted waters, moving to a working from home protocol and handling the people and financial fallout with exceptional skill.”

Recruitment for Gabrielle’s successor will begin after the summer.