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The Bishop of Monmouth has been named as the new Archbishop of Wales, becoming the first woman ever appointed to the role.

Archbishop Cherry Vann, who has served the Monmouth diocese for the last five years, takes over from Bishop Andy John, who stepped down earlier this month.

She becomes the 15th Archbishop of Wales, and will lead the Church in Wales in her new role – while also remaining as Bishop of Monmouth.

The Monmouth diocese contains much of Gwent, including the Islwyn area.

The Church’s new leader was elected having secured a two-thirds majority vote from members of the the electoral college, which met in Chepstow to decide Mr John’s successor.

Ms Vann will now be enthroned at Newport Cathedral in due course.

In 1989, Ms Vann was ordained as a deacon, and five years later became one of the first women to be ordained as a priest in the Church of England. She later served as Archdeacon of Rochdale for 11 years.

Ms Vann, who hails from Leicestershire, takes over her new role after a difficult period for the Church in Wales, with two recent reports highlighting safeguarding concerns at Bangor Cathedral.

Archbishop Vann said: “The first thing I shall need to do is to ensure that the issues which have been raised in the last six months are properly addressed, and that I work to bring healing and reconciliation, and to build a really good level of trust across the Church and the communities the Church serves.” 

The Very Reverend Ian Black, Dean of Newport, welcomed the new appointment on behalf of the Diocese of Monmouth. He said: “Cherry is the right person for this moment in the Church in Wales’ life.

“She has the skills and vision that we need to restore trust following some very public failings. She has brought stability to the Diocese of Monmouth, managing the change to ministry areas with clarity and purpose, showing deep care for the clergy and people.

“This foundation will be a good base as she leads the province over the next few years.”

He continued: “She has a deep faith, which is also open to those who take a different view to her, and this has impressed those people enormously. 

“I look forward to supporting her as Dean of her cathedral. One of our duties and pleasures here is to pray for the bishop every day and we will continue to do so gladly.”