This morning, a Downing Street announcement confirmed that His Majesty the King has approved the nomination of The Very Reverend Simon Robinson as the next Bishop of Warrington.
Ordained in 2012, Simon has served as Dean of Truro since January 2024, having previously undertaken the role as Interim Dean in October 2022. During his tenure, he has impressed many through the strength of his faith and conviction that Truro should be a place of excellence in worship, mission and welcome. Simon serves on the Bishop’s senior staff team and the Diocesan Synod. He previously served on General Synod as well as several church and community trust boards, reflecting his longstanding experience in senior leadership. Prior to moving to Truro, Simon was the Vicar of Minehead, a place that he holds dear in his heart having served his curacy in three small village churches near Bath.
Simon firmly believes that amongst many things, the renewal of the Church depends on building a Church that is for everyone, something he looks forward to pursuing as he takes up his new role as Bishop of Warrington. This conviction is closely tied to his own upbringing in a working-class family where poverty was a real lived experience which has shaped his commitment to ensuring that the life of the church speaks deeply to people from every walk of life.
Before ordination, Simon spent 24 years building an extensive career in education. He served as a headteacher in London before leading the amalgamation of three schools into a single, all-year-round provision in Bristol. Simon always chose to work in areas of multiple deprivation, motivated by a desire to give back to communities like the one in which he grew up. As a headteacher, he demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting children with special needs and those excluded from other schools. He worked tirelessly to build strong teams of practitioners dedicated to meeting the needs of every child. A determined and passionate leader, Simon developed a reputation for building trust, inspiring confidence, and enabling schools to thrive.
As a committed, public advocate for safeguarding who himself is a survivor, Simon will continue strengthening this work as the Bishop of Warrington. As he begins to shape his ministry and leadership in the area, he will also support the wider Diocese by drawing on his experience and expertise – not only in safeguarding, but in the other areas about which he is deeply passionate.
Simon is supported in life by his small and close ‘family’ which includes his mum, Joyce, his best friend Jon and his almost lifelong friend Karen, whose now grown-up children Lucy and Rory he helped care for over many years. This has given Simon a deep belief that ‘families’ come in many and varied guises and that we all need to know that we ‘belong.’
He will be officially consecrated by the Archbishop of York during a service in York Minster on April 30th before attending his official Welcome Service at Liverpool Cathedral on May 23rd.
Speaking about his appointment with optimism, The Very Reverend Simon Robinson, Bishop Elect, reflected:
“When I first read the paperwork for the new Bishop of Warrington’s role, a literal fire burst into flame in my stomach. That fire has not gone out and grows stronger every day as I pray and prepare to move and take up this new role. I am excited and daunted by what God has drawn me to next. I really do look forward to listening to and learning from the very many people of Warrington and the Diocese of Liverpool as we live and tell the story of Jesus Christ together.
Welcoming his appointment, The Rt Revd Ruth Worsley, Interim Bishop of Liverpool, said:
“I am so looking forward to having Simon as my brother bishop in the diocese of Liverpool. He brings a wealth of experience, holy listening and honest insight. I know he will be a gift to us here within the diocese and the Merseyside region as we seek God’s best for our future life together in mission and ministry.”
Reflecting on The Very Reverend Simon Robinson’s departure as Dean of Truro, The Right Revd David Williams, Bishop of Truro, said:
“I am delighted that the Church has called Simon to be a Bishop. Simon came as interim Dean of Truro and has graciously stayed! In a lifetime of ministry, I have rarely met someone as prayerful as Simon. He has welcomed Helen and me to Cornwall, through his generous gift of time and counsel. Simon has been a passionate advocate for the Truro Cathedral, which he has often been quoted as saying is a Cathedral for Cornwall. We thank Simon for his service, and we pray for him and wish him all the very best for this next exciting step.”
Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York said
“I welcome the appointment of The Very Reverend Simon Robinson as the new Suffragan Bishop of Warrington. Simon comes with many gifts to serve the people and parishes of the Diocese of Liverpool, and to bear witness to God in every place.”
Bishop Ruth Welcomes The Very Reverend Simon Robinson as the Bishop of Warrington
Loving God,
we thank you for calling Simon
to serve as Bishop of Warrington.
Be with him in this time of transition;
go before him in all that lies ahead.
Grant him peace, strength and confidence
as he prepares to join us
in the Diocese of Liverpool.
Surround him with your grace,
and prepare our hearts
to welcome him with gratitude and joy.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
