Trustees

Our Trustees volunteer their time, energy and expertise to deliver our mission of preserving the Cathedral’s fabric and its historical significance for future generations to come.

Stephen Parsons
Stephen Parsons MBE LIB DL, Chair of Trustees
Stephen’s association with Bristol Cathedral began in the 1960s when he was a Chorister at Bristol Cathedral School (now Bristol Cathedral Choir School). He read Law at Leeds University and then worked in the Aerospace and Defence sector. He returned to Bristol Cathedral Choir School in 2002 as a Governor, held the position of Chair between 2004 and 2024, and he is currently Vice Chair. Stephen was also Chair of Cathedral Schools Trust from 2013 until 2022 and he was a member of the Bristol Cathedral Chapter from 2019 until 2024.

Stephen became a Deputy Lieutenant of the County and City of Bristol in 2010; he was Chair of Quartet Community Foundation 2009-2014; Chair of the LEP Social Enterprise Sector Group 2011-2016; Master of The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals 2009-2010, chairing their Livery Charity for four years; and he is also Chair of the Affiliation Board of HMS Prince of Wales and the County and City of Bristol.

Jane Oakland
Jane Oakland Vice Chair
Harry Marshall
Harry Marshall
Harry Marshall, with his wife Laura, is the co-founder of Icon Films, established in 1990 in Bristol. The company that has been recognised with national and international awards including BAFTA, Emmy, Wildscreen Panda Awards, and the Royal Television Society’s Sir Ambrose Fleming Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to Television.

Harry was born in Bengaluru, where his grandfather, the Right Reverend N.C. Sargant, served as Bishop in the Church of South India, retiring to Bristol where he was a Canon at the Cathedral under Dean Horace Dammers.

After graduating from Oxford University, Harry began a career in the media and, since retiring in 2020, he has written two books, is restoring the biodiversity of a Welsh hill farm, and remains committed to ecology and conservation. Harry was presented with an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Bristol in 2015 for supporting graduates, and he remains part of the University’s mentoring programme.

Louise O’Donnell
Louise O’Donnell
Louise is a Chartered Accountant with over 35 years’ experience working in finance and general management roles in the telecoms, train operations, dating and education sectors. She moved to Bristol from London in 2005 and worked as the Bursar at Clifton College, and more recently as Chief Executive of John James Bristol Foundation until her retirement in 2023. Louise is also a Trustee and Treasurer of Spike Island Artspace.
Steve Smith
Steve Smith
Steve is a business consultant who, until recently, was also a Councillor for Bristol City Council, serving as Lord Mayor in 2021-22. In that role Steve attended many events at Bristol Cathedral, growing to know the building and the team who make it a real living place that serves our city every day. It was this experience that led to him becoming a Trustee, where he helps to support the preservation of the Cathedral. Steve is also a huge Bristol Bears rugby fan, and he is currently learning to play the organ (perhaps another interest that started life in the Cathedral!).
Beth Napier
Beth Napier
Beth grew up in North Bristol, and as a teenager she was a Dean’s Chorister of Bristol Cathedral. She went on to study music at the University of Nottingham, before returning to Bristol to pursue a career in marketing and communications. Since 2013 Beth has worked at Bristol Beacon, as Marketing Manager, delivering its multi-million-pound transformation campaign, renaming and rebranding project, and its celebrated reopening in November 2023. Beth is excited to be able to support the Cathedral as a Trustee and contribute to developing its future plans.
Mike Lea
Mike Lea Treasurer
Dean Mandy Ford
Dean Mandy FordEx-Officio
David Kane
David KaneEx-Officio

GET IN TOUCH

For further information about the work of Bristol Cathedral Trust, or if you would like to know more about becoming a member of the Fitzhardinge Society, please contact us.

For further information about the work of Bristol Cathedral Trust, or if you would like to know more about becoming a member of the Fitzhardinge Society, please contact us.