[1][2] He then undertook teacher training at Bretton Hall College, and completed his Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in 1985.

[1] He continued his studies on a part-time basis and graduated from St John's College, Nottingham with a Master of Arts (MA) degree in 1996.

[1][3] Then, from 1998 to 2005, he was Vicar of St Michael's, Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield in the Diocese of Birmingham.

[1] He served as Acting Dean of Birmingham between the retirement of Robert Wilkes and the appointment of Catherine Ogle.

"[3] On 26 November 2016, it was announced that Howell-Jones would be the next Dean of Blackburn, in succession to Christopher Armstrong.