The current Bishop of Hertford, Rt Rev Michael Beasley has been announced as the next Bishop of Bath and Wells.
Before his ordination as Bishop of Hertford in the Diocese of St Albans, Bishop Michael served as Director of Mission in the Diocese of Oxford.
Commenting on his announcement, Bishop Michael said he is "delighted" to be joining the diocese and is looking forward to working alongside communities and churches in Somerset.
"We have all been through a challenging few years. The COVID pandemic pushed us all apart. Now is the time to come back together. Our churches have an essential role in helping us rebuild communities and in facing the challenges present to us both internationally and at home.
"Jesus's message is one of peace - a peace I'm looking forward to sharing and pursuing as I join you as your bishop," Bishop Michael continued.
Prior to taking a fulltime role with the church, Bishop Michael was an epidemiologist, a background he was called on to use during the pandemic as a member of the Church of England's Covid task force.
"I thought I'd left science behind, but God never wastes anything! So in the last few years the skills I gained before, have been of use to the Church now," he added.
Bishop Michael and Lizzie have two young children. In his spare time, he enjoys tending his garden and his bees.
His appointment follows the retirement of the Rt Rev Peter Hancock, who stood down as Bishop of Bath and Wells in May 2021 due to ill health.
