The deputy director of the National Portrait Gallery has become the newest member of St Paul's Cathedral's governing body.

Pim Baxter is to become a Lay Canon and member of the cathedral Chapter, and will be installed at a service in March.

Her work in the arts extends to opera and theatre, and has equipped her with extensive knowledge of senior management and team-leading.

Her roles have included fundraising and sponsorship, communications, audience development, event management and project management.

As a Lay Canon, Mrs Baxter will be a full member of the Chapter and will share in the governance and oversight of the cathedral's work and worship.

Lay Canons work part-time and although they do not have executive responsibility they contribute experience and expertise to the development and implementation of policy by the Chapter.

Mrs Baxter will continue in her role heading up the National Portrait Gallery's communications, development and human resources teams.

She has previously worked at the National Theatre in both marketing and development, is a Governor of MidKent College, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

She worships at St Mary's Church, Eastling, where her husband Andrew is the organist.

Speaking about her appointment, Mrs Baxter said: "It is an honour to be invited to take up the role of Lay Canon at St Paul's and I look forward to contributing to the exciting and challenging times ahead. This is a great opportunity to support the work of Chapter and to become a member of the cathedral community and I look forward to worshiping at St Paul's and attending some of the many wonderful events."

The Very Reverend David Ison, Dean of St Paul's, said: "I'm delighted that Pim is coming to join the Chapter of St Paul's. She brings a wide variety of experience which is relevant to our work, and an active Christian commitment in her own parish church.

"As well as sharing overall responsibility for the governance of this ancient and complex institution, she will have particular involvement in helping us to develop our welcome for all who come to the Cathedral, which is an integral part of our strategy for the future, as well as building further partnerships with other public institutions."