Retired engineer Jeffrey Jupp has been appointed chairman of the Friends of Bath Abbey.
Professor Jupp has taken over the role from historian and retired head teacher Dr John Wroughton.
During Dr Wroughton's four-year tenure, the group helped to fund key projects such as the Creating Voices oral history project, the refurbishment of the church's chandeliers, and a new glockenspiel for the organ.
Aerospace consultant Mr Jupp, a visiting professor at the University of Bath, said: "I am delighted to accept the role as chairman and am very much looking forward to using my experience in a way which will benefit the abbey."
He said he was particularly pleased to take on the role as the abbey embarked on its Footprint project to modernise and expand its facilities.
"The proposed changes are something the abbey badly needs and will benefit the worshipping congregation, visitors and the city as a whole. I see the Friends playing a valuable part in supporting this over the coming years."
Rector the Rev Edward Mason, who is president of the group, said: "We are delighted to welcome Professor Jupp and we look forward to benefiting from his experience. I would like to thank Dr Wroughton for extending his term of office by 18 months which ensured there was a smooth transition between the two chairmen. Professor Jupp will be joining us at what is an exciting time for Bath Abbey, as we begin work on the Footprint project."
