Following the retirement of John Davies as Dean of Wells on 6 January, Bishop Michael has appointed the Venerable Anne Gell, currently Archdeacon of Wells, as Acting Dean of Wells. 

Archdeacon Anne, who is already a Residentiary Canon of Wells and a member of Chapter, the governing body of the Cathedral, will take on the role from 1 February. The Revd Charlie Peer, currently the Head of Mission Support & Ministry Development for the Diocese of Bath and Wells, will become Acting Archdeacon of Wells. 

Commenting on the appointment, Bishop Michael says, "Anne will bring to the role of Acting Dean a wealth of skills and abilities in leadership, wisdom and care of the whole cathedral community. We pray for Anne as she takes on this role and leads our cathedral during the next year." 

Archdeacon Anne says, "It will be a privilege to be working more closely with the whole Cathedral team, the city and the county of Somerset, and I look forward to furthering these many relationships. I welcome the opportunity under God to develop our common life, to deliver needed change, and to reset the Cathedral as a place of welcome, acceptance and hope."

Anne will hold the Acting Dean of Wells role until a permanent dean is appointed, which is expected to be by the end of the year.