Goddard studied
theology at
Clare College, Cambridge, and graduated from the
University of Cambridge with a
Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1984; as per tradition, this was later promoted to a
Master of Arts (MA (Cantab)) degree. He then worked at John Lewis Plc. In 1988 he joined the Housing Corporation, the government agency then responsible for funding social housing. He became development director for ASRA Housing Association in 1989, before joining the newly formed Southwark and London Diocesan Housing Association in 1991 as its founding Director, until he was ordained. ==Ordained ministry==