Our Teams

Senior Management Team:

Principal - Kate Morrey

As Principal, Kate is responsible for the overall direction, leadership and development of the college. Kate studied History as an undergraduate and postgraduate at Durham before working in a number of educational establishments across the Northeast in a variety of leadership roles. Kate divides her time between being Principal of St Mary's College and working with other College Principals and the Dean of Colleges on wider University projects. She represents the College both across the University and externally; she is also a member of the University Senate. Kate is married to Ken and has a (badly behaved) Border Terrier called Baxter. In her spare time, Kate is a keen reader of novels and enjoys sewing and patchwork quilting.

 She can be contacted by email at katharine.l.morrey@durham.ac.uk

 

 

 

Vice Principal - Diana Scott

 

 

 

 

Assistant Principal - Mrs Emma Gray

Emma Gray joined the student support team as one of our Assistant Principals in February 2021, having previously practised as a lawyer and supported young offenders in a Young Offender Institute. Emma is passionate about supporting and guiding young people as they transition from a home and school environment to make the most of what Durham has to offer, understanding the challenges many students face along the way. In her spare time, Emma loves the outdoors and keeps rescue donkeys. Emma can be contacted via email: emma.gray@durham.ac.uk

 

 

Assistant Principal - Dr Dave Robson

Dave was appointed to a lectureship in Computer Science in Durham in 1983. Other posts have included being a Deputy Executive Dean looking after Natural Sciences for fifteen years, Principal of St Cuthbert’s Society, working in the University Counselling Service and doing student support at University College, Josephine Butler College and St. Aidan’s College. He also worked part-time in the NHS for twenty-two years. He was appointed to his part-time post in St. Mary’s in March 2014. Dave is a keen runner and is always encouraging Mary’s students to do parkrun! dave.robson@durham.ac.uk 

 

 

 

JCR & MCR Presidents 2026/27

JCR President 2026/27 - Finn Knight

 

I'm Finn, President of our Junior Common Room (JCR), the body within St Mary's College that represents all undergraduate students. Having completed a degree in Geography, it is my role to facilitate an excellent year of events, sports and societies with the fantastic members of our student body. Within Mary's, there is a tremendous amount to get involved with, from our 32 sports teams to our drama, art and music societies. Within the JCR, everything is welcoming and caring, providing a great space to excel in Durham and beyond.

I look forward to greeting you all to St Mary's. I can always be reached at st-marys.jcr@durham.ac.uk , or @marys.pres on Instagram  with any questions.

                                           

 

 

MCR President 2026/27 - Chloe Huang

 

 

If you have any questions at all feel free to email me: st-marys.mcr@durham.ac.uk

 

College Office Team:

College Administration Coordinator - Angela Gurteen 

Angela is the College Administration Coordinator and works closely with the Principal, Vice Principal and Assistant Principal’s, as well as all other staff at St Mary’s. She has quite a varied background originating in Administration working for her families Haulage Business whilst studying part time, to Airline Cabin Crew (visiting a vast number of destinations, with varied passengers!) to training Weight and Balance to aircraft dispatchers! Now settled back in her home town of Durham, she has been at St Mary’s since 2021, and loves the friendly atmosphere of the college, and the spectacular grounds! She can be contacted by email angela.gurteen@durham.ac.uk 

 

 

 

Student Support Administrator - Jennifer L Moss

Jennifer is our student support administrator. She has an MBA and an MEd in Special Education and has previously experience in both corporate and educational sectors. In the field of education, Jennifer spent several years teaching English as a second language before qualifying as a teacher of students with visual impairments. Jennifer has worked in multiple countries and cherishes the multicultural experiences she has had working in countries as varied as Saudi Arabia and the United States of America. In her current role, Jennifer works with almost all the college officers providing administrative support as necessary. She primarily enjoys her work in supporting students’ wellbeing. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys cultural experiences, traveling, reading, hiking, and knitting. She can be contacted by email: jennifer.l.moss@durham.ac.uk

 

 

 

Alumni Events and Fundraising Co Ordinator - Jackie Ferraro

Jackie Ferraro is the Alumni and Development Coordinator at St Mary’s! She is responsible for alumni relations, support our relationship with our fundraisers/ donor, and create events for our community. Additionally, Jackie is a PhD student here at Durham University, working on a project in psychology (developmental neuroscience). Before joining Mary’s, Jackie worked for University Resident Life in the United States as well as working in disability support. In her free time, Jackie enjoys being in theatre productions, weightlifting, judo, and learning new skills. Feel free to contacted by email at: jaclyn.ferraro@durham.ac.uk 

 

Georgina Whatcott - Assistant Student Support Officer

Georgina assists our Assistant Principals to provide support for students in college. She is available to discuss any issues you may have during your time at University, which may be impacting your studies and will be able to assist you accessing appropriate support.  Prior to joining St Mary's Georgina worked within various student support roles in further and higher education. She is a passionate musician, keen gardener and loves dogs. She can be contacted by email: stmarys.studentsupport@durham.ac.uk

 

 

 

Finance Assistant - Elaine Bedford

Elaine handles college queries and can be contacted on:

stmarys.finance@durham.ac.uk

Operations Team:

College Operations Manager - Mrs Helen Davies

Helen, our College Operations Manager, has been at Mary’s for a very looooong time and holds many service years (too many years to mention) and a lot of knowledge. She has particularly enjoyed the development of student events that have vastly grown and outgrown the college due to their success, very challenging at times but also rewarding to see the enjoyment they bring to all. It has been good to see Mary’s develop and being part of those changes. 

 

 

 

 

College Operations Team Leader - Miss Natalie Punshon

 

Natalie is the new College Operations Team Leader, with 12 years experience within the University, particularly in housekeeping and operations. She is looking forward to expanding her knowledge and continuing to develop her experience whilst supporting the day to day operations within the college. In her spare time Natalie loves days out shopping with her daughter and walking her dog "Del". Natalie can be contacted on: natalie.punshon@durham.ac.uk

 

 

 

 

Food & Beverage Service Head - Ben Simpson

Ben has been employed by Durham University since 2015 - initially in the role of Bar Manager for the College of St Hild & St Bede & St Cuthberts Society. Since 2019 Ben has been Food & Beverage Service Head at Collingwood College, moving to St Mary's in September 2025. Born and raised in Durham, in the nearby village of Pity Me! Ben enjoys theatre, all sorts of music and cinema - especially movies & soundtracks from the 1980's.

Feel free to pop by the catering office for any help or advice re food, menus, diets or allergens - the door is always open! Ben can be contacted on: benjamin.simpson@durham.ac.uk

 

 

Head Chef - Mr Richard Cooke

 Richard joined St Mary's in 2024, adding a vast experience in catering to college life. Previously   working at Newcastle United Football Club! richard.cooke@durham.ac.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reception

Mary’s College Reception staff are the friendly and welcoming face of St Mary’s and will help with any day-to-day queries, post, parcels, and key issues! They love getting to know all of the students and helping them out. reception.stmarys@durham.ac.uk 

Sam Stephenson (right) & Diana Charlton (left) share the role of Receptionist at St Mary's.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chaplain - Peter Kashouris

Peter has been the College Chaplain for more than 10 years. He is the Rector of St Oswald's as well as being St Mary's College Chaplain. With a deep commitment to faith and education his role in college is rooted in encouraging personal development. He began his undergraduate studies in mathematics before changing to theology. He has been a parish priest for more than 30 years, serving parishes in London, Hartlepool and Durham (his current post). He has a particular interest in poetry and exploring the Church's theological responses to the natural environment. 

Fortnightly services of Evensong take place in the College Chapel, with refreshments served afterwards. peter.kashouris@durham.ac.uk

 

Assistant Chaplain - Alex Gooch

 

Alex Gooch is Assistant Chaplain as part of the Durham University Chaplaincy service and as addition to our College Chaplain Fr Peter Kashouris. Alex is Humanist and has been teaching at Durham University for more than 12 years and is currently Lead for Arts and Humanities on the Foundation programme. He has a lifelong interest in philosophy (especially in East Asian philosophy, and in ancient philosophy in the modern world), and as well as being an academic teacher, he is also a qualified Philosophical Counsellor. When he is off-duty he is keen on cycling and old science fiction novels. 

Please do say hello to Alex if you see him in Mary's - if you want to start a conversation with him, ask about his cats, or tell him about yours. alexander.gooch@durham.ac.uk