The Queen has approved that the Revd Canon Professor Martyn William Percy, BA (Hons), MEd, PhD, Principal of Ripon College, Cuddesdon, be appointed Dean of Christ Church,
The Queen has approved that the Revd Canon Professor Martyn William Percy, BA (Hons), MEd, PhD, Principal of Ripon College, Cuddesdon, be appointed Dean of Christ Church, Oxford in succession to the Very Revd Dr Christopher Andrew Lewis BA, PhD. Professor Percy has been Principal at Ripon College for the past ten years, and will take up his post in October, at the start of the new academic year. Ripon College is one of the largest Anglican theological colleges in the UK, and also incorporates the Oxford Ministry Course and the West of England Ministerial Training Course, as well as a research and consultancy centre (the Oxford Centre for Ecclesiology and Practical Theology).
Commenting on his appointment, Professor Percy said, ‘My move from Cuddesdon to Christ Church will be both exciting and challenging. I am very much looking forward to serving the unique foundation that is Christ Church – a college of the University and the Cathedral of the Diocese. I am particularly looking forward to working together with colleagues throughout the College and the Cathedral, as well as with the senior staff of the Diocese’.
The Bishop of Oxford, the Right Revd John Pritchard, said, ‘Martyn Percy is a very gifted and experienced priest who will hold together the various elements of this complex post elegantly and creatively. It’s very good to know we will have someone of his imagination and ability at the helm in the years ahead’.
Professor David Nowell, the Senior Censor (with responsibility for the academic side of Christ Church) said, ‘We look forward to welcoming Martyn as the next Dean and to working with him to develop all aspects of life at Christ Church’
The Sub Dean of Christ Church, the Revd Canon Edmund Newey, said, ‘Professor Percy’s commitment to the life of the Church of England has been both broad and deep. I am delighted that he has accepted this post and, with my colleagues at the cathedral, look forward immensely to working with him’.
The Bishop of Gloucester, Michael Perham, and Chair of Governors at Cuddesdon said, ‘Martyn Percy has brought energy, wisdom, intellectual rigour and deep understanding of community to his role as Principal of Ripon College Cuddesdon. He will leave behind a vibrant and confident college, ready to build on the considerable achievements of Martyn’s time. Christ Church is fortunate to have him’.
Professor Percy is 51, and married to the theologian the Revd Dr Emma Percy, who is Chaplain and Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford. They have two sons.
