The new Bishop of Bath and Wells has been announced.

Downing Street revealed this morning (April 28) that Rt Revd Michael Beasley will be the next Bishop of Bath and Wells. He is currently the Bishop of Hertford, a role which he has held since 2015.

Prior to taking a fulltime role with the church, Bishop Michael was an epidemiologist, a background he was called on to use during the pandemic as a member of the Church of England's Covid task force.

Bishop Michael is already familiar with Somerset. His wife Lizzie is from a farming family from Somerset and prior to Bishop Michael being interviewed for the role of Bishop of Bath and Wells, they both undertook a 60 mile walk around the county.

Speaking in advance of today's announcement, Bishop Michael shared his joy in becoming the 80th Bishop of Bath and Wells and said he was looking forward to getting to know the people of Somerset.

He says, "I am delighted to be coming to be the Bishop of Bath and Wells and to joining with everyone in the diocese as together we live and tell the story of Jesus.

"We have strong family connections with Somerset and I'm very much looking forward to working alongside its people, communities and churches.

"We have all been through a challenging few years. The COVID pandemic pushed us all apart. Now is the time to come back together. Our churches have an essential role in helping us rebuild communities and in facing the challenges present to us both internationally and at home.

"Jesus's message is one of peace – a peace I'm looking forward to sharing and pursuing as I join you as your bishop."

Before his ordination as Bishop of Hertford in the Diocese of St Albans, Bishop Michael served as Director of Mission in the Diocese of Oxford. A scientist by background, he was an epidemiologist specialising in infectious diseases of children in low-income countries.

As well as being a member of the Church of England's Covid task force he also worked with UNICEF, the NHS, the Government and leaders of different faiths to launch vaccinaid.org which has raised more than £10 million in support of vaccination for low-income countries.

Commenting on his work on the taskforce he says, "I thought I'd left science behind but God never wastes anything! So in the last few years the skills I gained before have been of use to the Church now."

There will be an opportunity to welcome Bishop Michael to the Cathedral this evening (Thursday, April 28) as he attends Choral Evensong at 5.15pm.