New Bishop of Taunton announced

Dr Fiona Gibson has been appointed Bishop of Taunton

A new bishop has been appointed in the West after the departure of the incumbent who held the post for 10 years.

King Charles III approved the nomination of Dr Fiona Gibson, who was previously Archdeacon of Ludlow in Hereford, for the post of Bishop of Taunton in Somerset on Wednesday.

Dr Gibson replaces Reverend Ruth Worsley, who held the role from 2015 before becoming interim Bishop of Liverpool.

She said she was delighted at her appointment, adding she had "many happy memories" of the area from family holidays in Porlock.

Dr Gibson will be installed as Bishop of Taunton at a service at Wells Cathedral in early 2026.

Dr Gibson said: "Having ministered in both urban and very rural settings, I hope this will help me serve its diversity of people - from those in the beautiful city of Bath to the smallest hamlet on Exmoor, those living along the coast and in the towns, and everywhere in between."

She grew up in north London and studied at Homerton College, Cambridge, and first worked as a primary school teacher.

She said she thought she would remain in education for her entire career but "God had other plans".

Dr Fiona Gibson was welcomed to her new role by the Bishop of Bath and Wells Michael Beasley

She was ordained priest in 2012, and took up her current role in Ludlow in 2021.

The announcement was made at St Andrew's Church in Wiveliscombe on earlier, and Dr Gibson was welcomed by Bishop of Bath and Wells Michael Beasley.

Dr Gibson said: "I am very much looking forward to coming to learn and to share with Bishop Michael and all God's people as we seek the paths where God will lead us in the coming years."

Bishop Michael said: "[Dr Gibson] has a huge amount of expertise that will help us as we seek to grow our church and our increase our work within our communities across Somerset.

"Her rural experience and educational background will, in particular, be a wonderful gift to us."

Dr Gibson is married to David, who works in financial services, and they have two adult children.