Over 100 regional business leaders gather for Gloucester Cathedral’s first networking breakfast

Published: 31st March 2026
Read Time: 4 mins

Ambitions heard ahead of Organ Festival taking place in June

31st March 2026, Gloucestershire: Gloucester Cathedral hosted its first-ever business networking event in collaboration with corporate partner WSP Solicitors - bringing over 100 business owners and the county’s professional community together in one of the city’s most inspiring settings.

Held in the Chapter House, located within the Cathedral’s famous Cloister, attendees – including businesses Cass Stephens, Handelsbanken, Hazelwoods, John Morgan Partnership, St James’s Place and Bruton Knowles - heard talks from The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester, and Antony Feltham King, architect for the Cloister Project.

The Cloister Project is part of a 12-year conservation programme focussed on preserving one of the Cathedral’s most iconic and historically significant spaces. Work is currently underway on the East Walk, where urgent repairs are needed to protect historic stonework, roof structures and stained glass.

Dean Andrew also spoke about their wellbeing, education and cultural ambitions, as well as its music programme which includes Gloucester Cathedral Organ Festival taking place between the 13-15 June, celebrating the region’s musical talent and the unveiling of its new organ.

The festival will feature a range of high-profile events over two days, including a gala concert with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and internationally renowned organist Thomas Trotter, which will be recorded by BBC Radio 3.

Performances and educational activities involving young musicians from across Gloucestershire are also taking place. The event will mark the soft launch of the Cathedral’s Organ Academy - part of its wider In Tune: Music & Organ Campaign, aimed at widening access to music and supporting the next generation of talent.

The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester, said: “We were delighted to welcome the local business community to Gloucester Cathedral for this Networking Breakfast in partnership with our friends at WSP Solicitors.

“It was wonderful to continue that legacy of bringing people together within these sacred walls - a tradition the Cathedral has upheld as part of its Christian mission and Benedictine tradition for more than 900 years. We hope guests shared meaningful conversations, formed new connections and gained a deeper insight into the Cathedral’s fabric and music projects, which are helping to secure the future of this remarkable space. The Cathedral is a place for everyone, and we hope many attendees will return for future visits and events.”

Camella Cephas, Managing Director at WSP Solicitors, added: “We are proud to have partnered with Gloucester Cathedral for its first networking breakfast – it was fantastic to have so many local businesses in attendance, both to support the Cathedral, and to network, build ongoing relationships, and to collaborate.

“The Cathedral is an iconic part of our city and an important focal point for different communities across the region. It was fantastic to hear directly from them on the scale and cultural importance of the restoration projects currently underway as well as all the other exciting educational programmes it has coming up this year.”

For more information on Gloucester Cathedral Organ Festival and further events, including up-and-coming business breakfasts, please visit - https://gloucestercathedral.org.uk/whats-on.

Ends

Editors notes

For more information please contact:

David Ferguson – 07786 024 531 // davidferguson@headonpr.co.uk

Emily Goold – 07769 817022 // emilygoold@headonpr.co.uk

Link HERE for WSP Solicitors’ virtual newsroom for:

A copy of this news release
Images from the event
A headshot of The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester
A headshot of Camella Cephas, managing director at WSP Solicitors
Images of Gloucester Cathedral
The WSP Solicitors logo

About Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral is a glorious sacred space in the heart of Gloucester, with a history that can be traced back to 679AD. It is the mother church of the Diocese of Gloucester and welcomes around 400,000 visitors every year. The Cathedral is open daily, with entry by donation, and hosts a packed and varied programme of services and events throughout the year.

Gloucester Cathedral is a charity and relies on the support of generous individuals, families, visitors and trusts. No matter the size, every gift to the Cathedral is critical to our work, ensuring this beautiful building remains in the best condition for future generations.

About WSP Solicitors

WSP Solicitors has been at the heart of Gloucestershire since 1758, formed following the merger of three local firms: Winterbothams, A E Smith & Son and Penleys, which was established by the Vizard family. William Vizard acted for Queen Caroline when George IV tried to divorce her.

The firm’s ethos is to make life less complicated from everything it does from the legal advice it offers individuals and companies down to its fees. With offices in the Cotswold town of Stroud and just outside Gloucester City Centre, enabling them to easily service clients in both Gloucester and Cheltenham, the firm now has a team of 65 providing a wide range of personal and business legal services including: