King approves appointment of Bishop of Brixworth

The new Bishop of Brixworth has been announced after the King approved his nomination.

The Venerable Dr Alex Hughes, who is currently Archdeacon of Cambridge in the Diocese of Ely, will be consecrated in July before taking up his role in the Diocese of Peterborough in the autumn.

Archdeacon Hughes said his appointment came at "a time of change and possibility", adding: "I am excited to be part of shaping what comes next."

He will succeed the Right Reverend John Holbrook, following his retirement.

Archdeacon Hughes was born in Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands, but grew up on the south coast of England.

He was educated at Greyfriars Hall, Oxford, and S. Edmund's College, Cambridge, and trained for ministry at Westcott House, Cambridge.

He served his title at Holy Trinity, Headington Quarry, in the Diocese of Oxford, and was ordained priest in 2001. He was appointed Chaplain to the Bishop of Portsmouth in 2003.

From 2008, he served as priest in charge and vicar at St Luke & St Peter, Southsea, and was appointed to his current role of Archdeacon of Cambridge in 2014.

The Diocese of Peterborough said that as Bishop of Brixworth, Archdeacon Hughes would hold responsibility for ministry areas including education.

Bishop of Peterborough the Right Reverend Debbie Sellin said: "I am delighted to welcome Alex to the diocese and look forward to working closely with him.

"His deep sense of God's call was clear throughout the process, and I am grateful to everyone who prayed for us. It will be a joy to get to know him better and to discern together God's will for our life and mission."

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