The Archbishop's team

Working closely with the Chief of Staff at Lambeth Palace, The Venerable Mark Steadman provides the Archbishop of York with the assistance he needs to conduct his ministry within the life of the nation, the Church of England, the Anglican Communion, and the Province of York.

Mark supports the Archbishop in his public ministry, helping him to keep abreast of political and social developments, and to be well briefed through his staff to speak for the gospel and for the church. He liaises with advisers at Church House, Westminster and at Lambeth, and  also has responsibility for the coordination of personnel matters, staff welfare, finance and premises matters, and for the appraisal of senior staff. The Chief of Staff has overall responsibility for the Archbishop's diary and is the 'first port of call' for Bishops wishing to make contact with the Archbishop. Mark attends meetings of the House of Bishops, the General Synod, Archbishops' Council and Bishoprics and Cathedrals Committee, and may sometimes represent the Archbishop at official functions. 

Provides strategic advice to the Archbishop in his public, political and social ministry.  Attends national church meetings and has oversight of safeguarding and CDM within Bishopthorpe Palace.  Point of contact with the Royal Household and other National Church Institutions.   

Mark was born and raised in Manchester. His family roots are in Salford and Sunderland, and he now lives with his wife Ailsa and their children in Leeds. After studying at Nottingham University, he initially worked as a youth worker and then a secondary school teacher before training for ordained ministry at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. Mark has served in churches in the West Midlands, Croydon, Hammersmith and Leeds, working with others to start several new worshipping communities. In 2013 he oversaw the launch of a new form of theological training for Yorkshire and then became the first Principal of St Hild College, which later developed the St Hild Centre for Church Planting. He has a PhD in the theology of the presence of God from Kings College London and has written in the areas of discipleship, spirituality and biblical theology.  

As Archbishop's Mission Enabler for the North, Mark's role is to help build the capacity and coordination needed to launch hundreds of new Christian communities across the region. This is part of the Church of England's vision to be a church where revitalising and planting churches in a range of contexts is the norm.

Co-ordinates the research support for the Archbishop, and helps with the planning and prioritizing of his diary. She has special responsibility also for providing the Archbishop with briefings and for day to day management of his engagements. Please contact Alison Cundiff at email: [email protected]

Responsible for ensuring the proper maintenance and smooth running of Bishopthorpe Palace and all activities/events taking place there. Please email: [email protected]

For media enquiries relating to the Archbishop, during office hours please contact Elizabeth Addy at email: [email protected]; or at mb. 07738 354491

Theo is responsible for coordinating the delivery of the Archbishop’s ministerial priority of Faith in the North, working closely with the chair of the steering group Mark Powley, and each of the designated teams for church planting and revitalisation, schools, heritage and communications. Theo will ensure the Dioceses of the Northern Province are able to access and contribute to Faith in the North, working with senior clergy and lay leaders across the Province. Theo will also assist with the preparation of applications for external funding.

Providing advice, guidance and support.

Jonathan will support the Archbishop’s ministry across the Northern Province on a part-time basis, offering pastoral, theological, liturgical, and spiritual guidance. Based at Bishopthorpe Palace — the Archbishop’s home and office — he will also serve as a first point of contact for ecumenical and interfaith matters. He will be working at Bishopthorpe on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.