Rachel Treweek begins role as Bishop of Gloucester

The Right Reverend Rachel Treweek is the first woman to run a diocese

The most senior woman bishop in the Church of England has formally begun her new role as the Bishop of Gloucester.

The Right Reverend Rachel Treweek, 53, has taken over from The Right Reverend Michael Perham after his retirement.

Two women bishops have already been appointed, but Bishop Treweek is the first woman to run a diocese.

At a service in Gloucester Cathedral she was presented with her pastoral staff and placed in her bishop's chair.

She also preached her first sermon as a bishop.

During the service, she was welcomed by the Dean of Gloucester, the Very Revd Stephen Lake.

The Venerable Rachel Treweek

• Worked as a speech and language therapist for more than six years before being ordained

• She previously served as curate at St George and All Saints, Tufnell Park, and became vicar of St James the Less, Bethnal Green in 1999

• Was appointed as Archdeacon of Northolt in 2006 and had been archdeacon of Hackney since 2011

• She has been a member of the General Synod since 2010

• She is married to Guy Treweek, who is a priest in the Diocese of London