Our People

Meet Our Staff

The team at Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Project are committed to the delivery of one of the most significant projects in the earthquake recovery of our city.

Our team collaborates closely with a team of consultants and contractors to ensure the project will be delivered with a solid foundation for reinstatement.

Keith Paterson

Project Director

Keith joined CCRL with the desire to lead and deliver the single most important project in the post-earthquake recovery for the  people of Christchurch and Canterbury.  In its damaged state, the Cathedral also presented significant leadership and technical challenges that could utilise skills from a career as a consulting project director and engineer.   Keith’s pre-Cathedral career at Beca spanned 32 years initially in building design and latterly on large scale multi-discipline national and international projects and programmes of work, he is delighted to apply his skills and corral the skills of many others on this amazing undertaking.

Ainsley Walter

Campaign Director

Ainsley has recently joined the Project as Campaign Director. Ainsley has been involved in a number of fundraising projects and has a keen interest in the arts, particularly sculpture and more recently orchestral performances. She's Chair of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Chair of the Hororata Community Trust.

Her background in strategic development and interest in philanthropy attracted her to the Cathedral project. Ainsley’s skills in the areas of communications, fundraising and engagement - along with her enthusiasm and energy - are great assets to the project.

Catherine Boyer

Corporate Fundraising Manager

Catherine joined CCRL as a Director, but after a few months was pleased to also become a member of the fundraising team. Catherine enjoys working with generous people and businesses who impact and change their communities for the better.


After years of serving on local charities while running a veterinary practice, Catherine switched careers to fundraising and not-for-profit management. With strong interests in the arts and environment, Catherine has focussed on the Christchurch Art Gallery and Court Theatre since the Christchurch earthquakes. She is excited about working with CCRL to see Christ Church Cathedral reinstated as a landmark icon for Christchurch city which benefits all people in its heritage, spiritual and civic offerings.

Alan Palmer

Senior Project Manager

Alan joined the project in October 2022, he is proud to be a member of the Cathedral project delivery team. The project draws on his 25 years in managing large complex projects and programmes of work. As the Cathedral moves from the Stabilisation phase to the Strengthening phase, Alan is looking forward to the increasing activity on site especially the craftsmanship of the stone masons as they reinstate the stone finishes and carving using a mix of modern and traditional techniques. He has a special interest in the collaborative model that is at the heart of this project. "It’s exciting to be part of something that will leave a lasting legacy for the community"

Matt Tippen

Commercial & Project Manager 

Matt relished the opportunity to join the CCRL team in October 2018, as he saw the project as a new and exciting challenge. Matt has a varied role; working across many aspects of the project. He particularly enjoys the Cathedral being a Category 1 Historic Place, as he gets to work alongside a variety of passionate professionals. Raised in Southland, Matt has lived in Christchurch since 2000, and is excited about contributing back to the place he now calls home.

Sally Lafleur

Executive Assistant 

Previously providing administrative support to the Cathedral Working Group meant the invitation in August 2018 to join the Cathedral Reinstatement Project was easy to accept.  Five years later Sally still relishes the challenges that come her way with this project which has become very dear to her heart.  The importance of a reinstated Cathedral to this city and wider cannot be overstated.

Jill Robinson

Jill is based in Wellington but was born and raised in Christchurch and has maintained strong links with Canterbury through her extended family.  She was drawn by the opportunity to work on the fundraising campaign for the reinstatement of the magnificent Christ Church Cathedral in her home city and is delighted to be part of a motivated project team who are ‘getting this done’.  For the last six years she has worked on another heritage campaign raising funds for the fit out of the much-loved Wellington Town Hall. Jill  works in the Hereford Street CCRL office from Monday to Wednesday each week and is looking forward to supporting the Bishop in running the Anglican Campaign to be launched early in 2024.

Project Team

Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Limited (CCRL) was established in August 2018 with the sole purpose of reinstating Christ Church Cathedral.  CCRL appointed Keith Paterson as Project Director to lead the reinstatement project in November 2018.

Along with establishing the company, CCRL considered stabilisation methodology options and conducted selection processes to appoint structural engineers, architects and cost managers to assist with the stabilisation and reinstatement planning and work. Naylor Love was appointed as contractor consultant to contribute to the planning and ensure solutions were able to be built.  Collaboration between key consultants and CCRL has provided a foundation for safe, efficient stabilisation work to progress. Heritage professionals William Fulton and Jenny May are integral to the team, providing advice and guidance on the management of the heritage fabric.

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architects
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Financial Overview

The Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement represents an investment in the future of Christchurch and Canterbury.