The Rt Revd Tony Robinson was born and educated in Bedford. He taught mathematics and computer studies in a comprehensive school in Chelmsford before training for the priesthood.
Since he was ordained, Tony has worked in parishes with significant ethnic communities. His first parish was in Tottenham opposite the Spurs football ground, a lively parish with a predominance of African and Caribbean people in the congregation and community.
He then moved to Leicester to a large team parish working alongside three other clergy and three Sisters, where he helped establish four community projects including an innovative project working with men who had committed domestic violence. The parish embraced a wonderful mix of peoples, including the largest Hindu community in Britain as well as people from other faith communities.
Bishop Tony moved to West Yorkshire in 1997 to work first as the Archdeacon of Pontefract and since 2002 as the Bishop of Pontefract in the Diocese of Wakefield. As well as sustaining the church family, his passion is to encourage the church to look outwards, to be involved with its local community, to improve opportunity and understanding and work towards a more cohesive common life.
His commitment to working with all communities in the area means that he has extensive interfaith involvement. Urban, multi-ethnic and multi-faith have been themes of Tony's ministry. He has regular meetings with other Faith communities in Wakefield.
Tony chairs our diocesan links with the Dioceses of Mara, Rorya and Tarime in Tanzania and Faisalabad in Pakistan.
Nationally, he chairs the Church of England Presence and Engagement task group which supports the Church's mission in areas with large ethnic communities. He is Chairman of Forward in Faith and Chair of the Council of Bishops of The Society.
Bishop Tony enjoys cooking, rugby and cricket, music and the theatre.
PA: Caroline Asquith. 07776 963653. Office hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10.00am - 4.30pm.
Bishop of Wakefield Office Address: Thornes Park Campus, Thornes Park, Wakefield, WF2 8QZ