The Anglican Communion has appointed a Bishop of Episcopal Ministry to "build on the success" of the 2022 Lambeth Conference. 

The Rt Rev Dr Jo Bailey Wells, currently Bishop of Dorking, will be the first person to assume the new post, and will take up the role in January 2023. 

The post is designed to "foster a collaborative, engaged, enriched fellowship among the bishops of the Anglican Communion, inspiring ever greater companionship, learning and interchange between provinces," the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Rt Rev Anthony Poggo, said.

Bishop Jo will be involved in phase three of the Lambeth Conference, titled "witnessing together". 

It follows the initial "listening together" and "walking together" phases. 

Rev Anthony continued: "This will build on the outcomes of Lambeth '22, taking forward the Lambeth Conference Calls as well as the renewed relationships between bishops across varying provinces," he added. "It will also help to equip bishops for ministry, supporting them not only in their particular contexts but also for engaging in the wider Communion.

"I am delighted that Bishop Jo will be joining us at the Anglican Communion Office, as we take forward the outcomes of the 2022 Lambeth Conference."

Bishop Jo said: "Having first encountered the diversity and dynamism of the Anglican Communion as my vocation emerged in the Church of Uganda in the 1980s, I am awed by the sense of God's invitation to this newly created role.

"I am full of joy to be working with Secretary General Bishop Anthony, having first met one another in South Sudan many years ago. I greatly look forward to journeying with bishop colleagues across the Communion as we work out how we witness together through the Calls, enhancing the friendships and fellowship forged at the recent Lambeth Conference."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev Justin Welby added: "I am delighted that Bishop Jo will be taking up this role as we move into phase three of the conference, and she will play a key role in that.

"I know Jo well through her time as my former chaplain. She is an inspirational and deeply committed disciple of Jesus Christ, and I know that she is well placed to take on this new ministry in service to the Anglican Communion."