Senior Clergy & Staff

The Bishop of Peterborough

The 39th Bishop of Peterborough is the Right Reverend Debbie Sellin, who was installed at Peterborough Cathedral in March 2024. Before coming to Peterborough, she served as Bishop of Southampton and Acting Bishop of Winchester.

Bishop Debbie grew up in a rectory, surrounded by church life and a strong sense of service to others. Before her ordination, Bishop Debbie worked in NHS management, and as a Children and Families Worker developing a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals, families and communities.

As Bishop of Peterborough, Debbie is committed to helping every church play its part in sharing God’s love, serving its community and enabling people of all ages to grow in faith. She is especially passionate about children, young people, families and schools, and about ensuring that those whose voices are not always heard are valued and supported.

Alongside her ministry in the Diocese of Peterborough, Bishop Debbie serves in a number of national roles. She is a member of the House of Lords, where she contributes to discussions on health, education, children and families, areas that reflect both her professional background and her long-standing commitment to the wellbeing of communities. She also serves as the Church of England’s Lead Bishop for Accountability and is a member of the Standing Committee of the House of Bishops, helping to strengthen trust, good governance and healthy leadership across the Church.

Bishop Debbie is also Chair of ChurchWorks, a national movement bringing churches, charities, public services and government together to tackle poverty, support vulnerable children and families, and improve wellbeing in communities across the country.

The Bishop of Brixworth

The Right Reverend Alex Hughes was consecrated to be the Bishop of Brixworth by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Westminster Abbey on 16 July.

Alex brings a wide breadth of experience from across the Church of England, having served in parish ministry, diocesan leadership and episcopal support roles. He was ordained in the Diocese of Oxford in 2000 and served his curacy at Headington Quarry before becoming Chaplain to the Bishop of Portsmouth. From 2008 to 2014 he was parish priest of St Luke’s and St Peter’s in inner-city Portsmouth and from 2014 to 2026 served as Archdeacon of Cambridge.

As Bishop of Brixworth, Alex will hold responsibility for different ministry areas, including education, something that Alex describes as being ‘in my DNA’. Both his parents were teachers, and he has held significant governance roles within church schools, including chairing governing bodies at both primary and secondary level and holding the role of Chair of the Diocesan Board of Education in Ely Diocese for 12 years.

Alongside his work in education, Alex has experience of both urban and rural ministry. As Archdeacon of Cambridge he has oversight of a large and diverse area, including the city and its rural surroundings. ‘My favourite day of the week is Sunday’ he says, ‘I love being out among the parishes, whether it’s a big service with hundreds of people or just a tiny little village church with 3 or 4 faithful worshippers and a cat.’

Throughout his life and ministry Alex has enjoyed the full range of church traditions, including visiting 3 different churches across the week whilst at university, which alongside his varied roles he describes as giving him ‘an unusually wide appreciation of the Church of England’.

The Bishops of Peterborough and Brixworth are supported by a central office. The Bishops’ Office works very closely together, but each member has their own responsiblities.

Andrew Birks

Senior Chaplain to the Bishop of Peterborough

Alex Tolley

Executive Assistant to the Bishop of Peterborough

Rachel Lomas

Personal Assistant to the Bishop of Peterborough

Jo Oldaker

Administrator to the Bishops Office

The PA to the Bishop of Brixworth post is currently vacant. Please contact Rachel Lomas who is temporarily covering this role.

The Bishops’ Office is open Monday and Friday 9:30am – 2:30pm and Tuesday to Thursday 9:30am – 4:30pm, and can be contacted on 01733 562492 or please email one of the staff above.

To contact the Bishop direct, please email Bishop Debbie

Assistant Bishops

There are four retired bishops licensed to work as Assistant Bishops in the Diocese.

If you wish to contact an Assistant Bishop regarding confirmations please contact Rachel Lomas in the Bishops’ Office at rachel.lomas@peterborough-diocese.org.uk. If you wish for an Assistant Bishop to lead a parish service please speak with your Rural Dean.