Diocese of Chichester Education

Meet the Team

Diocesan Director of Education
Lesley Hurst

Tel: 01273 425687

Deputy Diocesan Director of Education
Ruth Cumming

Responsible for senior leadership appointments as well as supporting school leaders across the diocese to enable them to achieve best outcomes for children spiritually, morally, socially and culturally alongside strong academic expectations.
Tel: 01273 425687

Senior School Improvement Advisor
Mandy Watson

Responsible for school improvement, Christian distinctiveness, senior leadership appointments as well as supporting school leaders across the diocese. 

Tel: 01273 425687  

(part time: 0.4)

Christian Distinctiveness, RE and SIAMS Manager
Rosemary Black

Provides advice, training and support for teachers and school leaders on SIAMS, religious education and Christian distinctiveness and works with school leaders and governors on senior leadership recruitment. 

Tel: 01273 425687

(part time: 0.8)

School Effectiveness Officer
Jon Gilbert

Responsible for School Effectiveness


Telephone: 01273 425687

School Effectiveness Officer
Chris Kronda

Responsible for School Effectiveness

Telephone: 01273 425687

(part time: 0.4)

School Effectiveness Officer
Alex Wingham

Responsible for School Effectiveness

Tel:  01273 425687

(part time: 0.4)

Governance Development Officer
Mike Simmonds

Responsible for developing, implementing and delivering a programme of development, recruitment, advice and support for new and existing church school governors.

Tel: 01273 425687

(part time: 0.4)

Capital Assets Programme Manager
Heather Broadbent

Responsible for Capital Funding and related Capital Asset Projects.


Tel: 01273 425687

(part time: 0.69)

Land and Buildings Officer
Rachel Bell

Responsible for ensuring the DBE is able to meet its statutory obligations in the provision of school buildings and other related properties and in the management of matters related to school organisation.

Telephone 01273 425687

(part time: 0.8)

Capital Assets Project Officer
Luci Fievet

Capital Funding and related Capital Asset Projects.

Tel: 01273 425687

(part time 0.8)

Net Zero Carbon Project Officer
Brian Kilkelly

Church House, 211 New Church Road, Hove
BN3 4ED
Tel: 01273 425687

Executive Assistant and Governor Services Administrator
Michelle Perry

Administrative assistant to the Diocesan Director of Education and responsible for Governor Services administration.


Tel: 01273 425687

Education Administrator

Suzanne Dillingham

Administrative assistant for the Education department with responsibility for training and events.

01273 425687

(part time: 0.8)