Last updated 12th September 2025

Bishop's House Team

Bishop’s House is the home of the Diocesan Bishop of Blackburn and also the base of their office and staff.

The Bishop is directly supported by the Bishop's Chaplain, the Revd Dr Andy Meeson. Andy's role is to make sure the Bishop and wider Diocesan team have all they need, he is a resource to the wider Diocese and can be contacted with questions or for support in parishes.

Louise Hunter and Esther Tregilgas are the administrative heart of the team and they are the Bishop’s EA and Operations Officer respectively. They can be contacted to book appointments, check diaries and assist with any administrative questions you might have. Susan Stewart joined the team in the new role of Clergy Appointments Officer assisting our churches which are in vacancy. 

The gardens at Bishop’s House are beautifully tended by Keith, who has worked there for 16 years and makes Bishop’s House a beautiful place to entertain and welcome people. If you are in need of cooking or eating apples come and see Keith between September and November and he will be glad to send you away with a large bag.

Everyone is always welcome at Bishop’s House and we can be contacted using 01254 248234.

You can also contact members of the team directly using details found in their short bios which explain more clearly the roles each member of the team has.

Rev Dr Andy Meeson

Bishop's Chaplain

The new Chaplain is Rev. Dr Andy Meeson, 39, originally from Wellington in Telford and now living in Leyland. Most recently Andy served as Vicar of St John’s in Leyland and also as Area Dean of Leyland Deanery. Over the past decade, Andy has combined parish ministry with theological education and biblical scholarship, recently earning a PhD in Hebrew Bible.

He is married to Amy and the couple have five children aged 14 to 6.

Before entering ministry Andy was a Foundation Doctor, working at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

You can contact Andy on:

Tel: 01254 248234

Mobile: 07393 879107

Email: chaplain@bishopofblackburn.org.uk

Louise Hunter

Executive Assistant to The Rt Rev Philip North

Louise joined the Diocese in 2012 as the Bishop of Burnley's PA. She has now moved to the role of EA to the Bishop of Blackburn and so continues to support Bishop Philip in his ministry. 

Louise's day to day role includes managing Bishop Philip’s diary and emails, supporting him at meetings including the Vision and Strategy Team meetings, plus anything else Bishop Philip throws her way!

Louise is keen to raise the profile of our wonderful parish administrators around the Diocese by supporting and encouraging them in their work. Louise oversees the ALM Administration elective alongside Abi Saunders and hosts networking events for our parish administrators throughout the year. 

Louise and her family are members of St Andrew’s Church in Leyland where she is involved in music & women's ministry.

Louise can be contacted:

Tel: 01254 248234 

Mobile: 07842 244473

Email: louise.hunter@blackburn.anglican.org

Monday-Friday 9.00am-4.30pm

Esther Tregilgas

Operations for the Bishop of Blackburn

Esther joined the team in 2021 and enjoys the challenges that each day brings at Bishop's House and the fact that no two days are the same. 

Esther's role involves a wide variety of comms, events planning and admin, DBS, PTO, new appointments, confirmations, clergy annual reviews and ordinations.

Esther is married to Matt and they have four daughters, in her spare time she loves being near, in, or on the water - especially wild swimming and paddleboarding. 

Esther can be contacted on:

Tel: 01254 248234

Mobile: 07842 244470

Email: bhadmin@bishopofblackburn.org.uk

Monday - Friday 9.30am-2.30pm

Susan Stewart

Bishop's Appointments Secretary

Susan is the newest member of the team at Bishops House.  Joining us at the start of 2023 as Clergy Appointments Officer.  Susan has been tasked with reviewing and streamlining our processes to appoint clergy in the Diocese to ensure that it is a good experience for all involved. 

Susan liaises with all involved in parish vacancies to ensure that they know what’s required of them and when.  She is married to Gregor and has two teenage children and three dogs. 

Susan can be contacted on:

Tel: 01254 248234

Mob: 07731 997113

Email: appointments@bishopofblackburn.org.uk

Working hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Keith Thompson

Gardener at Bishop's House

Keith has been gardener at Bishop's House since March 2006. He works hard to make the garden here a beautiful and functional space.

Keith lives in Salebury and is a very active member of the community serving on the Parish Council, being a trustee for The Memorial Hall and doing voluntary work with Wilpshire Wanders FC and Salesbury FC.

In his spare time Keith enjoys fellrunning and playing in a couple of local bands (both of which he claims to do badly)! 

Sept 2025