by Nicola Jordan

For most women, juggling being a mum with a high-flying job as a senior projects manager, involving travelling abroad, would prove tough.

But Anne Bennett believes her latest role as the vicar of Borstal and chaplain to Cookham Wood Young Offenders’ Institution, Rochester, is just as much of a challenge.

Mother-of-two Anne, 49. is a latecomer to the church after working for 20 years for the electronics and entertainment giant Sony, charged with installing logistics systems throughout Europe.

She joined the ministry in 2000 after the birth of her daughter, which she describes as a “life-changing experience”.

Anne left her home in the leafy suburbs of Surrey and went to train at Cranmer Hall in Durham.

Following her ordination she worked as a curate in South Shields for four years.

She has now been officially installed as vicar of St Matthew’s, Borstal, in a service led by the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev James Langstaff.

Anne said: “I don’t know the area but I have already met quite a few people and I’m looking forward to working with the school and the other churches.

"I see working in the church as just as high-flying, in that you have to relate to people and listen. To me it seems like a natural transformation.”

Anne, who confesses not to be a big fan of housework and cooking, will be joined at the vicarage in Borstal Street by her au pair Barbora, who comes from the Czech Republic.

In her spare time Anne likes to knit lace, do origami, go to the cinema and walk the family labrador, Tiffany.

She said : “I am delighted to be taking up the position in Borstal as it means I can work to bring hope to people who are often marginalised by society, while still enjoying parish ministry with the community at St Matthew’s.”

Anne’s daughter, aged 12 lives with her. She also has a 28-year-old son, who is an artist living in Lincoln.