THE next Area Bishop of Wakefield in the diocese of Leeds is to be the Ven. Malcolm Chamberlain, Archdeacon of Sheffield and Rotherham for the past 11 years, Downing Street announced on Wednesday.

Archdeacon Chamberlain was ordained priest in 1997 after training at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He served curacies at St John’s, The Pleck, Walsall, in Lichfield diocese, and at St Matthew and St James, Mossley Hill, in Liverpool diocese. He went on to be a Chaplain to Liverpool University and Diocesan 18-30s Officer, before taking charge of St Mary’s, Wavertree, and serving as Area Dean of Toxteth and Wavertree.

Archdeacon Chamberlain was introduced to clergy, civic, and faith leaders at Wakefield Cathedral on Wednesday morning. He said: “Yorkshire is a region very close to my heart and I am most thankful to God for calling me to this role in the diocese of Leeds. I feel especially blessed to have the joy of ministry in both South and West Yorkshire as the Bishop of Wakefield.”

Welcoming him, the Bishop of Leeds, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, said that the area was “rich in both industrial heritage and current potential”, and that he was confident that the new Bishop would “listen and learn from everyone’s voices”.

“His lived experience of hard-pressed communities in Liverpool and his recent role as an archdeacon in our neighbouring diocese of Sheffield mean he has the knowledge, skills, and attitude to suit the tasks ahead.”

Archdeacon Chamberlain is married to Jo; they have two children in their early twenties. He collects vinyl records and enjoys going to gigs, and is a lifelong supporter of Leicester City FC. He has served on the General Synod since 2015 and the Mission and Public Affairs Council since 2016.