The Chapter and entire community of St Paul’s said it is delighted to announce the

 appointment of the Reverend Tricia Hillas as the Cathedral’s new Canon

 Pastor.

Tricia is currently Vicar of St Barnabas in Northolt and formerly the

 Sub-Dean for Northolt, Perivale and Greenford. Born in Kuala Lumpur, Tricia

 trained as a social worker, before ordination in 2002. She has worked in the

 Diocese of London since then. Recently, Tricia has completed her MSc in

 conflict resolution and mediation.

Married to Andrew, Tricia loves adventure travelling and experiencing new

 people and cultures. In recent years she has trekked to Everest Base camp

 and made an assault on Kilimanjaro. When not on world-wide adventures she

 can regularly be spotted at Vicarage Road, supporting her beloved Watford

 FC.

As Canon Pastor, Tricia will oversee the welfare and training of all people

 at St Paul’s, with a specific focus on marketing, enterprises,

 communications, HR and development. She will lead the pastoral mission and

 develop relationships and chaplaincy-style support for regular worshippers

 and people of Christian faith across London.

Speaking of her appointment, Tricia said: “For over 1,400 years the

 community of St Paul’s has sought to live and to share the amazing news that

 God is with and alongside each of us; present every moment, in times of

 individual and national celebration and desolation. I am absolutely

 delighted, and if I’m honest a little astonished, to be invited to join the

 community of St Paul’s at this time, in what seems to be a significant phase

 in the life and ministry of the Cathedral. I am sure it will be a great

 adventure and look forward to the many opportunities, and no doubt

 challenges, ahead.”

The Very Reverend David Ison, Dean of St Paul’s, said: “We are delighted to

 be able to welcome Tricia and Andrew to St Paul’s. Tricia’s experience of

 engaging with a wide variety of disadvantage as a social worker in London

 complements her parish experience in ways which fit her well for this caring

 and outward-looking post. We also look forward to seeing how she will apply

 her studies in the theology of laughter!”

Tricia is only the third female Residentiary Canon in the history of St

 Paul’s and this will be the first time the Cathedral has had two female

 Canons at the same time. Of the eight full-time priests, three will now be

 women.

Tricia will be installed early in 2014. She replaces the Right Reverend

 Michael Colclough, who retired last month.