New Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons

The Reverend Mark Birch has been appointed by HM The King as a Canon of Westminster and by Sir Lindsay Hoyle as Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

Mark has been a Minor Canon at Westminster Abbey since January 2015. He is responsible to the Dean of Westminster for the daily worshipping life of the Abbey, and for designing and planning many of the special services which characterise its unique life. Mark previously served in parishes and as Chaplain of Helen and Douglas House, Oxford, which offers hospice care for children and young adults. He was also Chaplain, and remains a patron, of Treloar’s School and College, which offers education to young disabled people. Before training to become a priest, Mark was a veterinary surgeon.

For the full announcements, see Westminster Abbey and 10 Downing Street.