The HiGH Sheriffs Chaplains
Reverend Esther Peers & Reverend Canon Angus Aagaard
2026-27
The Reverend Esther Peers and Reverend Canon Angus
Esther is Vicar of Holy Trinity in Leamington Spa, a growing parish at the heart of the town, where she is passionate to see the church become the warm heart of the community. She enjoys walking alongside individuals and families through all of life’s seasons, helping to shape a church community where people can belong, be supported, and grow in faith.
Within the Diocese of Coventry, Esther is 'Dean of Women’s Ministry', where she works to encourage, support, and advocate for women across the Diocese in their calling and ministry. She is committed to creating space for women’s voices to be heard, supporting vocation, and accompanying women in a wide variety of roles and callings within the Church.
She has lived in Warwickshire for 25 years. Before ordination, she was Head of RE at Sidney Stringer, Coventry - a role she loved, and she continues to draw on that experience in her ministry—especially a love of learning, patience, and a deep attentiveness to people and their stories.
Esther is married to Mark and they have four children aged between 16 and 21. She enjoys reading, trips to the theatre, travelling, and long walks with her dog. She loves spending time with family and friends sharing good food and conversation.
Angus is currently in post as Vicar of St Marys, Collegiate Church Warwick and Team Rector of Warwick Anglican Churches.
He was born in North Yorkshire and attended St Peter’s School, York and then studied social work in Edinburgh which led him to work in a Township in South Africa . On return to the UK Canon Aagard led a social work team working for West Sussex County Council specialising in caring for children.
In 1993 Canon Aagaard went to study to become a priest training at Ripon college, Cuddesdon, gaining a BTH Oxon. On ordination his first post was as Curate in Taunton where he set up a project for the homeless, was chaplain to a sixth form college, and gained experience of being a priest in the parish of St Andrew. On leaving this post he was appointed as Team Vicar in Southampton City centre where his ministry focused on growing the Mother church of Southampton and setting up a variety of community projects centred on caring for the marginalised and young people, he was chaplain to the Mayor of Southampton and elected board member for a multi million pound inner city regeneration project
In 2001 Canon Aagaard was appointed Team Rector of North Lambeth Parish, London, where he initiated and oversaw a Mission Action Plan to grow the churches there in number, influence and outreach. As part of this post he was appointed generic chaplain to St Thomas’ Hospital, London Fire Brigade and 4th London Boys Brigade, Canon to Mampong Cathedral in Ghana and Assistant Area Dean in Lambeth North . Canon Aagaard encouraged the setting up of various social enterprises in this parish which attracted major funding and support . He currently has a staff team of six in an expanding ministry in a diverse and vibrant part of Inner city London. He has been Padre to 3MI for the last 18 months assiting them with pastoral care and planning for their 50th Anniversary in April 2017
Canon Aagaard is a keen sportsman having played Rugby as his principal sport and now plays more Cricket and enjoys Hill Walking, Cycling and Pottery. He is married to Suzette and has two children, Clemmie and Rufus,aged 20 and 18.
