Minster boss in absence mystery

2:01pm Wednesday 4th July 2007

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A LEAVE of absence has been given to one of York Minster's most senior bosses - chapter steward Stephen Anderson.

Mr Anderson was taken on for the £60,000-a-year role last November - just over six months ago.

Minster spokesmen have refused to explain what has led to the decision.

And it is not known if it is a permanent or a temporary move.

The Very Revd Keith Jones, Dean of York, said: "We can confirm the chapter steward has been given leave of absence. We do not wish to communicate anything further at present, but will let you know when there is further to report."

When Mr Anderson was taken on, the job was considered so important, a headhunting agency was hired to find the most suitable candidate.

The job was viewed as extremely demanding and involved overseeing the administration and co-ordination of every aspect of the cathedral's life, from fundraising to organising major events and services.

Mr Anderson was born and brought up in North London, aged 52 and married with two children when he became chapter steward.

He came from a financial background, having served as director of operations with Girobank from 1996 to 1997, and director of client services at the Save And Prosper Group from 1997 to 1999.

In 2001, he was appointed to the board of directors of the troubled Equitable Life Assurance Society.

For two years he served as chief operating officer as the society struggled to remain solvent after announcing it could not honour some of its pension pledges.

At the time, the Minster was undergoing its own period of financial uncertainty, running up losses of half a million pounds a year.

In 2003, church bosses admitted the public's trust in the Minster was "very, very low", and an admission charge was introduced in an attempt to steady the church's finances.

The same year, Mr Anderson decided to leave Equitable Life and transfer to the not-for-profit sector.

Before he joined the Minster, he stepped down as chief executive officer of a group of charities based in the City of London.

He took over the chapter steward post from Brigadier Peter Lyddon, who retired after more than ten years.

Ken King, City of York Council's shadow councillor for leisure and culture, said he believed the Minster would be trying to resolve the issue as quickly as possible to stop speculation.