About Ben

Ben has led Clergy Support Trust, the largest and oldest charity supporting Anglican clergy and their families, as our Chief Executive for five years.

After studying Music at Cambridge University, Ben began his career in the civil service, and was an adviser to both the Laming Report and the House of Commons Education Committee. He subsequently held senior posts in the education sector, including at Newham College and Charterhouse School, and in corporate philanthropy. Following three years’ formation at St Augustine’s College, Ben was ordained in 2021.

Ben has also been a trustee of several charities, including as founder-chair of the youth arts charity RicNic; is a Fellow of the Westminster Abbey Institute; and has been a governor of three Church of England schools. He lives with his wife, son, daughter and two cats in Tilford, Surrey, where he is the parish priest alongside his ministry with the Trust.

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The Reverend Ben Cahill-Nicholls Square

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Ben, wearing a black jacket and pocket square, talking to a vicar outside of a stone building in sunlight.

As our spokesperson

A considerable part of Ben's role as Chief Executive involves convening conversations with key figures and decision makers in four national Churches, to bring about positive changes to pay and conditions, improving the lives of all those living in clergy households.

In February 2025, following an engagement programme, advocacy and sharing our data and findings the Church of England pledged a £2m grant to the Trust, towards our work supporting their clergy.

Ben also makes regularly appearances in the media, most recently in an interview with Premier Christian Radio, and similarly in print with Church Times, where he raised our concerns that 1 in 5 serving clergy relied on the help of a charity to get by.

Ben's Petertide message

The Actress and The Bishop

As well as raising his family and his role in ministry, Ben enjoys creative writing, and is an avid fan of musical theatre.

This year, his own musical passion project - The Actress and The Bishop - set in the 1930s in a Cathedral Close, was selected for the national showcase of new musical theatre at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Casting was announced on Friday 21 March, and it is due to be performed as part of the BEAM Showcase 2025 on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 May.

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Ben on social media

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