Andrew Catton is Christ’s new Head Porter following the retirement of Kevin Cash in July.
He heads the 20 strong team of Porters who, along with colleagues in other departments, is preparing to welcome 121 new undergraduates (Freshers), as well as new postgraduates, and returning students to College this week.
Andrew, known as Andy, said:
“I am honoured to have been appointed to this position, and I want to do the best job I can for everyone in College.”
Andy joins Christ’s from the University of Cambridge where he was Security Supervisor responsible for 300 buildings across 16 sites and a network of over 1000 cameras.
Having managed the University Control Room for the past six years, Andy is relishing the opportunity to be out and about seeing people.
He said:
“I’ve really enjoyed meeting the staff and Fellows and now I’m looking forward to getting to know the students and stopping to say, ‘hello and have a nice day.’”
Andy's priorities are welfare and pastoral care. All porters are first aid trained and he says that the Lodge is a ‘safe space’ where students are offered support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He said, “Porters can help with welfare concerns, but also more mundane, but ‘easily fixable’ problems like a broken access card.”
The Porters’ Lodge recently reopened in its original location under the Great Gate following a period of refurbishment.
The Lodge is redesigned by Mica Architects to optimise space and improve flow. It includes pigeonholes for post, an information screen, and a parcel room, as well as improved facilities for the staff team.