The Reverend Ben Cahill-Nicholls

About Ben

Ben has led Clergy Support Trust, the largest and oldest charity supporting Anglican clergy and their families, as our Chief Executive since 2020.

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.

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 and contributing to conversations with key figures and decision makers, seeking to bring about positive changes to pay and conditions, and to improve the wellbeing 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 regular 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 also regularly speaks at clergy conferences, and preaches at special services.

Ben's Petertide message for ordinands

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.

He is currently working on a 1930s musical murder mystery, The Actress and The Bishop, which was recently selected for the UK's biggest, national showcase of new writers and shows, taking place at the Birmingham Hippodrome in May 2025.

Find out more

Trinity Leadership Fellowship

In April 2025, Ben was selected as one of the 2025-27 cohort for the Trinity Leadership Fellowship.

The Fellowship educates, inspires and connects faith and community leaders from across the globe, providing participants with an opportunity to learn from experts in the field while forming transformational relationships with peers and mentors. The group will spend time in New York and online, studying, praying and developing together.