Venerable Dr Jane Mainwaring will be the next Bishop of Hertford in the Diocese of St Albans, the government has announced. 

Rev Dr Jane will succeed Rt Rev Michael Beasley following his appointment as Bishop of Bath and Wells. 

Her nomination is the first ecclesiastical appointment to have been approved by King Charles III. 

Having trained for ministry on the East Anglian Ministerial Training Course, she was ordained as a priest in 2001 and has been working in the Diocese of St Albans since 2003 as team vicar of St Mark's Hitchin.

From 2015 she has also served as Rural Dean. Bishop Jane is currently the archdeacon of St Albans, a role she has been doing since 2020. 

Reacting to the news, bishop of St Albans, Rt Revd Alan Smith, said he is "thrilled" for her appointment. 

"Her deep faith and pastoral heart have endeared her to those with whom she has worked, and I have no doubt she will be a superb bishop.

"Please pray for her, James, Elliot and Amelie as they prepare for their move to Knebworth and Jane's consecration."

Rev Dr Jane said: "Hertfordshire having been my home for the last 20 years, I couldn't be more honoured and humbled to be given the opportunity to continue to serve the churches, schools, chaplaincies and communities of this county in this new capacity.

"I look forward to deepening existing relationships and establishing new ones, as we seek to share God's love and hope together."

Her consecration service is expected to take place on 2nd February and the search for a new Archdeacon of St Albans will begin before Christmas.