New Bishop of Leeds to Be Appointed on 31st July 2026

The King has given his approval for the nomination of The Right Reverend Dr. Toby Matthew Howarth, who currently holds the position of Suffragan Bishop of Bradford within the Diocese of Leeds, to be elected as the new Bishop of Leeds. This appointment follows the retirement of The Right Reverend Nicholas Baines.

Educational and Ministerial Journey

Toby Howarth’s academic journey has taken him through esteemed institutions such as Yale University, Birmingham University, and the Free University of Amsterdam. He undertook his ministerial training at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, laying a solid foundation for his future ecclesiastical roles. His early ministry began at St. Augustine in the Diocese of Derby, where he was ordained as a Priest in 1993.

From 1995, Bishop Howarth expanded his horizons by serving as a study partner with Crosslinks and The Netherlands Reformed Mission League in India. In 2000, he became the Evangelist at the Pilgrim Father’s Church located in Rotterdam, which marked a significant step in his international ministry. Following this, in 2002, he joined the Church Mission Society, taking on the role of Tutor at Crowther Hall, Selly Oak, in the Diocese of Birmingham, where he was appointed Vice-Principal a year later.

Advocacy and Leadership Roles

In 2004, Bishop Howarth was appointed Priest-in-Charge at Springfield St. Christopher, and in 2005, he took on the additional role of Inter-Faith Adviser to the Bishop of Birmingham. His commitment to fostering inter-religious dialogue continued as he became Secretary for Inter-Religious Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury, serving as the National Adviser for Inter-Religious Affairs from 2011 onwards.

In 2014, he ascended to his current position as Bishop of Bradford. Since 2025, he has also been fulfilling the responsibilities of Acting Bishop of Leeds, further demonstrating his dedication to his community and the Church.