Archbishop of York comes under fire for advertising for £90,000-a-year chief of staff 

Archbishop of York comes under fire for ‘sending the wrong message’ by advertising for £90,000-a-year chief of staff

  • Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell hiring a £90,000-a-year chief of staff 
  • The new position will be based at Bishopthorpe Palace, just outside York 
  • Has since been criticised for its competitive salary amid a time of financial crisis

The Archbishop of York has come under fire for hiring a £90,000-a-year chief of staff and ‘sending out all the wrong sort of messages at a time of huge financial pressure for the Church’.

The position will see the new member of staff assist the Most Reverend Stephen Cottrell, formerly bishop of Chelmsford, in ‘conducting his ministry’ and will be based at Bishopthorpe Palace, which sits just outside York.

However the role, which has been advertised on the Charity Job site, has since been criticised for its competitive salary amid a time of financial crisis.

The advert states: ‘As Chief of Staff to the Archbishop of York, you will report directly to the Archbishop of York and provide the Archbishop with assistance to conduct his ministry within the life of the nation, the Church of England and the Anglican Communion.

The Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell has been criticised for  hiring a £90,000-a-year chief of staff

‘You will support the Archbishop in his priorities of Mission, Teaching and Pilgrimage to the Diocese, Province and Nation. 

‘You will work with existing stakeholders and seek new partnerships to amplify the ministry priorities and work with colleagues at Lambeth Palace, coordinating the work of the Archbishops’ commissions and task forces.

‘You will be the Archbishop’s chief companion, support and critical friend for developing and refining this vision, aligning his work with the dioceses and central structures of the Church of England, ensuring his time is used effectively and strategically, and making it happen.’  

Will Pearson-Gee, Rector of Buckingham parish church, said the money should instead go towards ‘a couple of clergy posts’.

He told The Sunday Telegraph: ‘We should be spending that money on a couple of clergy posts. Surely the Archbishop could get a ”critical friend” for a lot less than that. 

‘It’s like buying a pair of Gucci shoes – if you can get a perfectly good pair for £50, why spend £500?

‘It’s sending out all the wrong sort of messages at a time of huge financial pressure for the Church. We only survived because of the Government’s furlough scheme.’ 

The role, which is advertised on the Charity Job website, offers £90,000 per year and is based at Bishopthorpe Palace

The role, which is advertised on the Charity Job website, offers £90,000 per year and is based at Bishopthorpe Palace

The move comes after the Mr Cottrell said in February the church should have a louder political voice. Pictured: York Minister

The move comes after the Mr Cottrell said in February the church should have a louder political voice. Pictured: York Minister

It comes after the Mr Cottrell, 62, said in February the church should have a louder political voice.

He told the Observer: ‘I simply don’t accept a separation between the Church and politics, faith and politics or, for that matter, anything and politics.’ 

The father-of-three has been a longtime advocate for the church’s participation in social causes.

Since 2011, he has served as chairman of the board of Church Army, an organisation based in Sheffield committed to evangelism and social justice.