Information and biographies of the clergy of Southwark Cathedral
The Very Reverend Dr Mark Oakley | Dean
The Very Reverend Dr Mark Oakley was ordained at St Paul’s Cathedral in 1993 and served his curacy at St John’s Wood Church. He was later appointed Chaplain to the Bishop of London and after four years was made Rector of the Actors’ church in Covent Garden. He has subsequently served as an archdeacon in the Diocese in Europe, Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral and Dean of St John’s College, Cambridge. Mark holds a PhD in English Literature and is an admired author of several books on poetry and spirituality. He is well known as a speaker and preacher and has been awarded both the International Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing and the Lanfranc award, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, for education and scholarship. Mark has a strong commitment to human rights and has served on the board of Liberty and the Civil Liberties Trust, as well as being awarded one of the first ‘Upstander’ awards for his work with hate crime victims. King’s College London awarded him a Fellowship in recognition of his work and ministry. Mark was installed as the Dean of Southwark in early December 2023.
mark.oakley@southwark.anglican.org
020 7367 6727
The Revd Canon Michael Rawson | Sub Dean and Canon Pastor
Michael joined the team as Sub Dean and Pastor at Southwark in December 2014. He has responsibility for pastoral care, oversight of volunteers particularly the Day Chaplains, ministry to children and young people, and stewardship. In July 2023 he took up the position of Interim Dean following the retirement of Andrew Nunn as Dean of Southwark.
Michael was born in Yorkshire and spent most of his ministry in the Diocese of Wakefield (prior to the formation of the Diocese of Leeds) as a parish priest, Bishop’s Chaplain and latterly as Sub Dean and Pastor at Wakefield Cathedral.
In his leisure time, Michael enjoys travel, food, theatre and the arts.
michael.rawson@southwark.anglican.org
020 7367 6706
The Revd Kathryn Fleming | Canon Precentor
Kathryn was installed as Canon Precentor in September 2023 having been Canon for Worship and Community at Coventry Cathedral. In this role she oversaw all the worship offered at Coventry Cathedral. Ordained in 2004, her early years of ministry were spent in the Diocese of Gloucester.
Kathryn studied English at Trinity College, Cambridge and Durham University where she specialised in 17th Century Religious Poetry. Prior to ordination, she had a varied career including working as a bookseller, music teacher, bed and breakfast proprietor and charity administrator.
Part of Kathryn's role at Southwark Cathedral is as the Safeguarding Lead.
kathryn.fleming@southwark.anglican.org
020 7367 6731
The Revd Shannon Preston | Succentor
Shannon joins us as Succentor after five years as Chaplain to the Community of St Anselm, a community based at Lambeth Palace that aims to give young people a profound experience of prayer, service and living in community. While with the Community, she served as a supporting priest at All Saints’ Kingston and in a rural Oxfordshire Benefice. Prior to that she served as Priest for Spiritual Formation at a large Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas. She is a trustee for the Anglican microfinance charity, Five Talents.
Originally from Minnesota in the US, she lives in London with her husband Alex and toddler John. In September she will compete in the International Jigsaw Competition. She also enjoys cryptic crosswords, making candles, and trying to find an excellent lasagna recipe!
shannon.preston@southwark.anglican.org
020 7367 6721
Diocesan Canons
The Revd Jeremy Clark-King | Canon Treasurer
The Revd Jeremy Clark-King became Director for Clergy Formation and Initial Ministerial Education (IME) in the Diocese of Southwark and a Residential Canonry at Southwark Cathedral in September 2022.
His role brings together vocations, and the training of curates, with the Director of Ordinands role, which Jeremy also covers.
jeremy.clark-king@southwark.anglican.org
020 7939 9458