New Archbishop of Centerbury - Justin Welby

Justin Welby was born on 6 January 1956 in London. Welby was educated at St Peter's School, Seaford and Eton College and subsequently went to Trinity College, Cambridge where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Law in 1978 (proceeding MA 1990).In 1989, he studied for ordination at St John's College, Durham. After several parochial appointments he became the Dean of Liverpool and was appointed as the Bishop of Durham in 2011.

From 1989 to 1992, Welby studied theology and trained for the priesthood at Cranmer Hall and St John's College Durham, where he was awarded a BA and DipMin in 1992 before becoming a curate at Chilvers Coton and St Mary the Virgin, Astley (Nuneaton) from 1992 to 1995. He then became rector of St James' Church, Southam, and later vicar of St Michael and All Angels, Ufton, Diocese of Coventry, from 1995 to 2002. Welby was appointed Dean of Liverpool Cathedral in 2007.

Welby's theology is reported as representing the evangelical tradition within Anglicanism. Some of his publications explore the relationship between finance and religion, featuring in books such as Managing the Church?: Order and Organisation in a Secular Age and Explorations in Financial Ethics.  As a member of the House of Lords (since January 2012), he sits on the committee of the 2012 Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards.

Welby established a Special Day for bereaved parents in Coventry Cathedral. There is now an annual service commemorating the lives of children who have died. 

On 9 November 2012, the Prime Minister's Office announced Welby's appointment as the next Archbishop of Canterbury. He is expected to be enthroned as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury in Canterbury Cathedral on 21 March 2013 following the retirement of the current archbishop, Rowan Williams. The British queen confirmed his appointment.

The Archbishop of Centerbury is at the same time the head of the Anglican church.