The Venerable Sheila Watson
Archdeacon of Canterbury
Sheila Watson graduated in Classics at St Andrews University, where she went on to take a research degree, after a preparatory year of theology at Oxford. After 27 years of ministry she came to Canterbury via the North East, London and Salisbury as well as Buckinghamshire. Having served in three parishes, her experience has also been in the selection and training of clergy and laity in the Kensington Episcopal Area, at the Advisory Board of Ministry in Westminster, and as Director of Ministry in Salisbury and she became Archdeacon of Buckingham in the Diocese of Oxford in 2002.
The Archdeaconry of Canterbury is unusual because it combines two roles. Sheila shares with the Bishop and his team in the leadership of the diocese and in particular of nine of the diocese's sixteen deaneries. She is also a core part of the Cathedral team as a Residentiary Canon. Uniquely, the Archdeacon of Canterbury acts on behalf of the Archbishop in enthroning new diocesan bishops in 27 of England's 43 dioceses.
Sheila is married to Derek who was Dean of Salisbury until his retirement in 2002 and is now Preacher of Lincoln's Inn.