News: Guildford Cathedral welcomes new Canon Missioner

Guildford Cathedral welcomes new Canon Missioner

Guildford Cathedral is delighted to announce that the Reverend Dr Mike Branscombe will join the Cathedral as its new Canon Missioner later this month.

Mike, who is currently Vicar of St Andrew’s Church, Cobham, will be installed as a Residentiary Canon of Guildford Cathedral during Choral Evensong at 6pm on Sunday 20 September 2026.

As Canon Missioner, Mike will have a particular focus on mission, discipleship and helping the Cathedral build stronger connections with communities across Guildford and the wider Diocese. His appointment comes as the Cathedral begins to put into action its new Vision and Strategy, Worshipping God. Transforming Lives. Serving Community.

Mike was ordained in 1995 and has served churches in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Alongside his current role at St Andrew’s, he is an Assistant Diocesan Director of Ordinands and Bishop’s Adviser in the Diocese of Guildford, supporting people as they explore a possible calling to ordained ministry.

Mike said:

“I am thrilled to be joining the team at Guildford Cathedral at such an exciting time. I hope that my experience of parish ministry in different contexts over the last 30 years will be an asset as together we live into the Vision and Strategy launched earlier this year.  I can’t wait to get started and connect with the cathedral community, diocesan friends and colleagues, our neighbours at the University of Surrey, and the wider county of Surrey.”

Mike is married to Margaret, and they have two daughters, Ella and Grace. Away from parish life, his interests include his Italian motorcycle club, repairing broken technology with a soldering iron and following Grimsby Town Football Club.

The Very Reverend Bob Cooper, Dean of Guildford, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Mike to Guildford Cathedral. He brings with him a wealth of parish and diocesan experience, together with a real passion for mission and helping people grow in faith.

As we begin to put our new Vision and Strategy into action, Mike joins us at an exciting time in the life of the Cathedral. Mission is at the heart of our calling, and I am very much looking forward to working with him as we deepen our relationships with communities across Guildford and the Diocese, welcome new people into the life of the Cathedral and explore together what it means to be disciples of Jesus.

I know Mike will bring warmth, energy and enthusiasm to our Cathedral community, and we look forward to welcoming him and Margaret to Stag Hill.”

Mike joins the Cathedral at an important point in its life. The Cathedral’s new Vision and Strategy places mission, community, learning and growing younger at the heart of its priorities for the coming years, alongside its continuing commitment to worship and prayer.

Mike will work with the Dean, Cathedral clergy, staff, volunteers and congregations to help deepen discipleship, welcome new people into the life of the Cathedral and strengthen relationships across the Diocese and wider community.

Mike will be installed during Choral Evensong at 6pm on Sunday 20 September at Guildford Cathedral. All are warmly welcome to attend.

Nicola Pratt, Head of Marketing and Communications
Guildford Cathedral
T: 01483 547884
E: [email protected]
W: www.guildford-cathedral.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Guildford Cathedral

Guildford Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit, was consecrated in 1961 and is the newest Church of England cathedral to be consecrated on a new site.

Known as the People’s Cathedral, its story is rooted in the thousands of people who helped complete the building through the famous Buy a Brick campaign.

Today, the Cathedral continues to be a place of worship, prayer, music, learning and community, welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs.

Guildford Cathedral is a registered charity and relies on donations and the generosity of its supporters to sustain its ministry, maintain the Cathedral and enable its work within the wider community.

The Cathedral’s Vision and Strategy is focused on six areas: Worship, Mission, Sustainability, Learning, Community and Growing Younger, brought together through its shared purpose:

Worshipping God. Transforming Lives. Serving Community.

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Added Saturday 12th September 2026