Sarah Mullally Named First Female Archbishop of Canterbury
Why in the news
On 3 October 2025, Dame Sarah Mullally was named the next Archbishop of Canterbury, the first time a woman has been chosen for the post. She follows Justin Welby.
Key facts
- Announcement date: 3 October 2025.
- She is the first woman to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the Anglican Communion.
- Predecessor: Justin Welby.
- Current post before the appointment: Bishop of London since 2018, where she was also the first woman in that role.
- She was born on 26 March 1962, so she was 63 at the time of the announcement.
Career snapshot
| Period | Role |
|---|---|
| 1999-2004 | Chief Nursing Officer for England (the youngest person to hold it) |
| 2015-2018 | Bishop of Crediton |
| 2018 onwards | Bishop of London |
About the background
Mullally trained as a nurse and held senior health-service posts before she was ordained in the early 2000s. Her move from the nursing profession into church leadership is a notable feature of her profile.
Exam angle
- Appointments questions often ask who became the first woman in a top global post.
- Remember the pairing: Archbishop of Canterbury, Mullally; predecessor, Welby.
- Her earlier role as Chief Nursing Officer of England is a likely static-linked detail.
- The Archbishop of Canterbury leads the Anglican Communion.