17 January 2022
The Bishop of Chelmsford has announced that Philippa Hopkins QC has been appointed as the new Chancellor of the Diocese of Chelmsford.
Philippa currently serves as Deputy Chancellor to the Diocese. She is a barrister in the field of commercial litigation and arbitration, practising from Essex Court Chambers in London, and was appointed as Queen’s Counsel in February 2018. Philippa is married to Eddie and they have three sons. She worships at her parish church in the Diocese of Oxford.
The Chancellor acts as the independent judge of the Consistory Court, overseeing legal issues across the Diocese, especially those which relate to the use of and alterations to church buildings, land and property. Philippa will work closely with the Diocesan Registrar, the Archdeacons and the Diocesan Advisory Committee.
Commenting on the appointment, the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani said:
“I am delighted that Philippa has accepted this role. She will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge of Chelmsford Diocese from her time as our Deputy Chancellor. I have enjoyed working with her and getting to know her over the last year and am confident she will serve our diocese with great insight and distinction."
Philippa Hopkins QC said:
“I am honoured to be appointed as Chancellor. I look forward to serving the people and parishes of the Chelmsford Diocese as they seek to use their buildings to further the Church’s mission and ministry.”
Philippa succeeds the Worshipful George Pulman QC who sadly died in January last year having served Chelmsford Diocese for many years.
A date on which Philippa will be sworn in as Diocesan Chancellor will be confirmed in due course. In the meantime, she will continue in her duties as Deputy Chancellor.
