27 January 2025
The Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev’d Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani has announced that the next Area Dean of Chelmsford will be the Rev’d Simon Pearce.

Simon is Priest in Charge of St Andrew’s Chelmsford, where he has served since 2021 and Ascension with All Saints Chelmsford, where he has served since 2023. He is also an elected clergy member of the Chelmsford Diocesan Synod, representing the Chelmsford Deanery.
Commenting on Simon’s appointment, Bishop Guli said:
“I am very grateful to Simon for accepting my invitation to become Area Dean of Chelmsford. This is an important role, supporting church leaders in their service to congregations and communities across the Chelmsford Deanery. Simon knows the Deanery well and will bring many gifts to the role. The Deanery is one of the largest in Chelmsford Diocese but I’m confident that Simon will be well supported by colleagues in the responsibilities that he will carry. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Simon’s predecessor, the Rev’d Canon Tim Ball, who recently retired and contributed a huge amount as Area Dean of Chelmsford.”
The Chelmsford Deanery is in the Bradwell Episcopal Area and the Bishop of Bradwell, the Rt Rev’d Adam Atkinson said:
“The parishes and worshipping communities of the Chelmsford Deanery will benefit greatly from having Simon as their new Area Dean and I’m delighted that he has been appointed to this role. He is a gifted parish priest who will bring considerable energy, experience and knowledge of the Deanery to this ministry and will serve alongside Jill Readings who is an outstanding Lay Chair. I know that many people will also want to join me in giving thanks for all that Tim Ball contributed as Area Dean of Chelmsford.”
Commenting on his appointment, the Rev’d Simon Pearce said:
“I am immensely honoured and proud to serve as the Area Dean of Chelmsford. Having been a part of the Chelmsford Deanery for over 20 years I have developed a deep connection with its places and communities. We will face many challenges and opportunities, and I am eager to work closely with both the clergy and the laity to discern God’s quiet voice and seek to enable our communities to flourish through the Good News of the Gospel.”
Simon will be licensed as Area Dean of Chelmsford in early February.