Robert James "Rob" Wickham (born 3 May 1972) is a British Anglican bishop. He has been CEO of the Church Urban Fund since June 2023,[1] having previously served as Bishop of Edmonton (an area bishop in the Diocese of London) 2015–2023. He also served part-time as Acting Bishop of Portsmouth.[2]
Rob Wickham | |
|---|---|
| area Bishop of Edmonton | |
| Church | Church of England |
| Diocese | Diocese of London |
| In office | 23 September 2015 – 9 July 2023 |
| Predecessor | Peter Wheatley |
| Other post(s) |
|
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1998 (deacon) 1999 (priest) |
| Consecration | 23 September 2015 by Justin Welby |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert James Wickham 3 May 1972 |
| Education | Hampton School |
| Alma mater | Grey College, Durham King's College London |
Early life and education
Wickham was born on 3 May 1972.[3][4] He was educated at Hampton School, an all-boys private school in Hampton, London. After a gap year, he studied geography at Grey College, Durham.[5] He graduated from the University of Durham with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1994.[4] He then spent a year working at St Luke's Church, Wallsend, an Anglo-Catholic church in a deprived area of North Tyneside.[5] In 1995, he entered Ridley Hall, Cambridge, a Church of England theological college, where he spent three years studying for ordination to the priesthood.[4]
During his ordained ministry, he undertook post-graduate study. In 2012, he completed a Master of Arts (MA) degree in theology, politics and faith-based organisations at King's College London.[4][5]
Ordained ministry
Wickham was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1998 and as a priest in 1999.[4] From 1998 to 2001, he continued his training for ministry as a curate at St Mary's Church, Willesden in the Diocese of London; the church contains the Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Willesden.[4][5] In 2001, he moved to St Mary's Church, Somers Town where he served as a curate for the next two years.[6][7] In 2003, he became the Team Vicar in the newly created Parish of Old St Pancras which includes St Pancras Old Church.[4][5] In 2007, he moved parishes and became Rector of the Church of St John-at-Hackney;[4] this made him the 45th Rector of Hackney.[8] In 2014, he was additionally appointed the Area Dean of Hackney.[4]
Episcopal ministry
In July 2015, Wickham was announced as the next Bishop of Edmonton, an area bishop in the Diocese of London.[6][9] On 23 September 2015, he was consecrated a bishop in Canterbury Cathedral by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.[10] It was announced on 26 February 2021 that he was to additionally serve part-time as Acting Bishop of Portsmouth (archbishop's commissary) during the vacancy of that See, starting 28 April 2021.[2] On 18 January 2022, the new Bishop of Portsmouth, Jonathan Frost, took up the See.[11]
On 21 February 2023, it was announced that Wickham was to become CEO of Church Urban Fund.[12] He resigned his See effective 9 July 2023.[13] He has also been an honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of London since November 2023.[14]
Personal life
Wickham is married to Helen, a primary school teacher.[6] Together, they have three children.[8] He is a supporter of Plymouth Argyle football club.[6]
References
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