Our Staff
This page gives information on the roles specific to Worth Abbey.
Worth School provides a range of services to Worth Abbey including finance, estate management and some leadership roles. The majority of staff in the Worth Group are employed by Worth School.
Daiga Cooley, Healthcare Manager
Daiga has over twenty years of experience working in the provision of healthcare, and she has been Healthcare Manager at the Monastery for 5 years. She coordinates and manages all aspects of the delivery of care to the elderly and frail monks.
Daiga is very passionate about Healthcare, and she was inspired to work in this industry after witnessing at an early age, an accident which led to live changing injures for a family member.
In her spare time, Daiga enjoys fishing and gardening.
Debbie Barchan, Hospitality Manager
I have been working in the hospitality industry for over 10 years. My passion is providing excellent customer service for the guests who visit and stay here in the retreat centre.
In my spare time I enjoy gardening and spending quality time with my two girls.
Edward Dean, Monastic Organist & Director of Music
In his capacity as Monastic Organist, Edward accompanies the monastic community thrice daily for Lauds, Conventual Mass and Vespers; as Director of Music, he is the main point of contact for musical matters relating to Worth Abbey's wider musical life, working alongside the Monastic Choirmaster. Aside from playing the organ, a significant part of his role is developing the Abbey Choir, formed shortly after his arrival in 2022.
He previously held organist positions at the American Cathedral in Paris and Holy Trinity Sloane Street (London) before his arrival at Worth in September 2022 and Reception at the Easter Vigil in 2023. Shortly after this, Edward accompanied the choir of St Paul's Harvard Square (Boston, USA) on its choir tour to Italy (which included The Vatican, Rome and Venice) during which he also had the honour of accompanying the boys of the Sistine Chapel Choir in concert at San Carlo al Corso (Rome) alongside the Vatican organist, subsequently accompanying a Sunday morning Mass at the Vatican.
Edward is a graduate of both the Royal College of Music (London) and the Eastman School of Music (Rochester, NY).
Emma Hickmott, Commercial & Hospitality Bursar
With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Emma Hickmott has built a career defined by her commitment to excellence and operational leadership. Currently serving as the Commercial and Hospitality Bursar of Worth Abbey and School, she oversees all commercial and hospitality functions and is responsible for managing activities across 450 acres of land, including the livery, the retreat centre, Archway Lodge and the school.
Emma is currently studying for a masters in Senior Leadership.
Georgina Smale, Accountant
Georgina Smale is Worth Abbey and Projects Accountant. Georgina provides financial support to all areas of Worth Abbey and Projects including producing budgets, providing management accounts, and helping budget holders to manage their budgets.
Georgina is a qualified accountant and has worked in a variety of financial roles including auditor, project manager and school business manager.
Estelle Langridge, Hospitality Co-ordinator
Estelle is the Hospitality Co-ordinator at Worth Abbey Retreat Centre, St Bruno’s. She is the first point of contact for those wishing to come on retreat, guiding guests through the process with care and attention to ensure their journey is smooth, welcoming, and well supported from the outset.
With a 20-year career in finance, Estelle brings extensive experience in client facing roles. She is passionate about helping each guest feel at ease and supported, creating the conditions for a peaceful, reflective, and enriching retreat experience rooted in the rhythm and stillness of the Benedictine tradition.
Kelly O’Hara, Abbot’s Assistant
Kelly O’Hara is Assistant to Abbot Mark Barrett. She supports the Abbot on a day-to-day basis and oversees his diary. She is responsible for the daily management of the Abbot’s Office and responds to the many emails and enquiries the monastery receives. Kelly acts a as a central contact between the various constituents of the Worth Group, including the Parish, the School and the Retreat Centre.
Kelly works closely with the Worth Abbey Pilgrims to manage their annual programme of events and activities. She manages their database and mailing list.
Paul Bilton, Monastery Bursar
Paul Bilton is Monastery Bursar, Company Secretary and Religious Safeguarding Lead. Paul fulfils the responsibilities of the Cellarer as defined in the Constitutions, administering the worldly goods of the monastery under the direction of the Abbot and in accordance with the Law.
Paul is a qualified accountant, and a deacon serving in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton. He has worked as chief operating officer of Worth as well as a range of other public and private sector roles.
Pete Emmott, Hospitality Director
Pete Emmott heads up the team that runs the Retreat Centre at Worth, providing opportunities for people to come on retreat and experience something of community and monastic life, in the beautiful settings of Worth Abbey and surrounds.
Pete trained as a youth worker at Worth in the early 2000's, and has been involved with retreat work on and off since the late 90's. Pete got married at Worth and this role is like coming home for him. He lives near Brighton with his wife and their four children.
Tim Atkinson, Working Farm Manager
My job is the day-to-day management of the income generating enterprises which use the 87 Hectares of pasture and 80 Hectares of woodland owned by Worth Abbey. Historically this was from the commercial growing of cereal crops (Barley and Wheat) and shepherding a flock of 200 Lleyn ewes for prime lambs. In more recent times income is generated from diversification, including a 36 stable livery yard.
A farmers son from Lancashire, I am a graduate from Wye College in Agricultural Business Management. My career has included managing the dairy herd of Oxford University Farm, lecturer in agriculture at The Barony College in Dumfries and Galloway and Estate manager in Scotland and Andalucia.