The Archdeacon of Lindisfarne, the Venerable Peter Robinson is to leave his role after nearly 25 years in the Diocese of Newcastle to become the next Dean of Derby.
Peter has been Archdeacon since 2008 and worked in the oil industry before being ordained in 1995. The Lindisfarne archdeaconry was extended when Peter became archdeacon to include the seven deaneries of Morpeth, Alnwick, Bamburgh and Glendale, Norham, Corbridge, Hexham and Bellingham.
Currently, Peter is chair of the Newcastle Board of Education, which oversees all Church of England schools in the diocese, is the lead for community engagement in Northumberland, and is responsible for the rural delivery of the diocesan vision, growing church bringing hope. He has been an Honorary Canon at Newcastle Cathedral since 2007.
On the announcement of his appointment in Derby, Peter said: It will be hard to say farewell to the North East which has been our family home for 30 years now, but I have a strong sense of call to Derby Cathedral and Derby Diocese.
I am grateful to the Bishops under whom I have served for the opportunities to work in some wonderfully rich and fruitful places - suburban North Shields, inner-city Byker and rural Northumberland. I have had the privilege of helping to pioneer new forms of church and theological education and also to lead on the rural strand of the diocesan strategy. We will miss our many friends and colleagues as we depart for this exciting role in Derby. I hope we can keep in touch!
Following news of his appointment, the Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Reverend Christine Hardman said: The Churchs discernment that God is calling Peter Robinson to be Dean of Derby will evoke mixed feelings for all of us. Delight for Peter, and this exciting new chapter in his ministry, and also a sense of loss as we say goodbye to someone who has served in this diocese for nearly twenty-five years.
Peter has served as Archdeacon of Lindisfarne with outstanding dedication, and his contribution to the senior leadership team and to the life of the Diocese of Newcastle has been very significant, and deeply appreciated. Peter will be greatly missed, and he and Sarah leave us with our love and prayers as they move to Derby.
The Right Reverend Libby Lane, the Bishop of Derby, said: I am delighted to welcome Peter as Dean of Derby. He is a man of inspiring faith, with a remarkable breadth of ministerial and professional experience. Peter is someone with a combination of deep love for people and place, and the capacity to think and act with strategic clarity.
I look forward to working with him in the city and across the diocese. We are very blessed that God has called him to serve among us. I ask you to join me in praying for Peter and Sarah as they prepare to move, and for ourselves as we seek Gods Kingdom together.
Peter trained for ministry at Cranmer Hall in Durham and served his curacy in North Shields. Following his curacy, he became priest in charge at St. Martins, Byker - where he was highly successful in bringing together a challenging inner-city community, designing a new church building and attracting a visit from the Home Secretary to showcase the communitys achievement. He has also been director of the Urban Ministry and Theology project in Newcastle before his current role.
Peter will take up his new position in the summer once the coronavirus restrictions allow him to do so.