Vacancy in See

Understanding the process of appointing the new Bishop of Leeds

The Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, will retire formally at the end of November 2025. The Rt Revd Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford, will become Interim Bishop of Leeds from Monday, September 1, taking on the responsibilities of the role. After a transition period of three months Bishop Toby will formally become Acting Bishop of Leeds on Monday, December 1.

This is a major moment for our diocese as we look to the next stage of our diocese’s future, and discern who God is calling to be our next diocesan bishop.

At his last Diocesan Synod on Saturday, June 14, 2025, Bishop Nick said: “The first eleven years of this diocese have not been boring and yet I believe we can gather today for this synod with confidence in our future. 

“We have much to thank God for in our life and mission together. I will never cease to thank God for you and to pray for your faithfulness.

“I have been blessed to be the first Bishop of Leeds. The next Bishop will be blessed to serve with you in this part of the world to which God has called you at this point in history.”

What will happen during our vacancy in see?

The process of appointing a diocesan bishop involves both the diocese and national Church of England bodies. It is a long, significant and prayer-filled journey to ensure the right person is chosen. The process is governed by the Vacancy in See Regulations 2024, and is designed to ensure transparency, consultation, and discernment in choosing a new Bishop of Leeds.

The process includes the Vacancy in See Committee, a group all dioceses are required to have and that operates when the role of diocesan bishop goes into vacancy.

Our committee has 41 members, including five bishops, our three cathedral deans, two archdeacons, 18 members of General Synod, the Chairs of the Houses of Clergy and Laity in Diocesan Synod, two members of elected clergy, and nine members of elected laity.

Bishop Toby has been appointed as Chair, while Canon Professor Joyce Hill has been elected by the committee as Vice-Chair. Jonathan Wood, Diocesan Secretary, has been appointed as Secretary to the Committee.  

A full list of members the committee can be seen here.

The committee has two tasks specified in the legislation: preparing a diocesan Statement of Needs, and to elect six diocesan representatives to the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC).

The Statement of Needs will give a descriptive overview of our diocese, covering the breadth and depth of our diverse and varied region, and a statement setting out the desired profile and qualities of our new Bishop.

The CNC is responsible for identifying and recommending candidates for the role of diocesan bishop. It includes six diocesan representatives, six members from General Synod, the Archbishops or their representatives, and the two appointments secretaries. The CNC meets multiple times to develop the role profile, shortlist candidates, and conduct interviews. Once the discernment process is complete, a candidate’s name — or two names if needed — is submitted to the Prime Minister, who advises the King to make the appointment.

Our Vacancy in See Committee

Our Vacancy in See Committee is working in three subgroups, covering the important areas of prayer, consultation and the Statement of Needs.

The Prayer Group is being led by the Very Revd John Dobson, Dean of Ripon, and is looking at how to encourage, resource and facilitate prayer to cover the whole process.

The Consultation Group is being led by Canon Jane Evans and the Ven Bill Braviner, Archdeacon of Halifax, working on creating the opportunity for everyone across the diocese to have their say on what the diocese needs.

The Statement of Needs Group is being led by Canon Professor Joyce Hill, and are developing the document which explains the joys, hope and challenges for the diocese, and will reflect what is heard in the consultation.

Consultation and how you can be involved

We shall be launching our consultation in July, consisting of a short survey with key questions about your views on what our new bishop should be like and focus on. More on this will be shared in the coming weeks. When the survey is released, please do complete it, and encourage all across the diocese to fill it in – it is really important a wide range of voices are heard in this process.

Prayer is also vital to this process, so please do be praying for all involved in this work, and please do engage with resources created to help encourage prayer.

Timescale for the appointment

Between April - October 2025: Vacancy in See committee meets

• July 2025: Consultation with the diocese takes place
• October 2025: Statement of Needs approved
• October 2025: Diocesan CNC representatives elected

Between March - May 2026: Crown Nomination Commission meets

• Summer 2026: Announcement of new Bishop
• Winter 2026: Arrival of new Bishop

Leading the diocese during the vacancy

Diocesan life, events, support, training and more will all continue during the vacancy.

Bishop Toby will serve as Acting Diocesan Bishop, supported by Bishops Anna, Arun, Malcolm and Smitha, as well as Archdeacons Andy, Bill, Cat, James and Paul, and Deans Andy and John, as well as the new Dean of Wakefield.

The senior staff team, boards and synods will continue their work, maintaining the day-to-day operations and ministry of the diocese.

Our parishes and schools will continue to minister faithfully to the communities they serve, creating confident Christians to grow churches and transform communities.

Vacancy in See Committee members