06/11/2024
The Church of England is pleased to announce the appointment of the Revd Dr Richard Sudworth as the new Director of Faith and Public Life. Richard will succeed the Revd Dr Malcolm Brown, who retires later this year after 17 years of service in the role.
Richard brings extensive experience to this position, having served as the Archbishop of Canterbury’s lead on interfaith relations since 2018. In this capacity, he has played a key role advising the Archbishop of Canterbury and supporting the Church's engagement with diverse faith communities across the UK.
Prior to his current role, Richard served as a parish priest in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, where he worked extensively on community outreach and interfaith dialogue. He also held an academic position as a lecturer in Anglican theology at The Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham, and contributed to theological scholarship on Christian-Muslim relations, publishing widely on interfaith engagement. In 2023 he was awarded an OBE for services to interfaith cohesion.
The Director of Faith and Public Life is a senior leadership role within the Church of England, responsible for shaping and guiding the Church’s engagement with public policy, social ethics, and interfaith relations at both national and international levels. Serving as part of the Archbishops’ Council's Senior Management Group, the Director leads a diverse team dedicated to addressing issues at the intersection of faith and society.
The role involves supporting the Archbishops and bishops in their public ministries, collaborating with policymakers, and representing the Church’s voice on critical ethical issues. Additionally, the Director helps to foster understanding and cooperation across faith communities, ensuring that the Church's mission is responsive to the needs of a multi-faith, multi-cultural society.
Commenting on the appointment, William Nye, Secretary General of The Archbishops' Council, said: “Richard’s expertise in interfaith relations and public theology, combined with his dedication to fostering dialogue and mutual understanding across faith traditions, will be a blessing to the Faith and Public Life team and to the wider Church of England. We are excited to see him build on Malcolm Brown’s legacy and lead the Church’s engagement on key social and ethical issues at this crucial time.”
Richard’s appointment follows a rigorous recruitment process, which saw a strong field of over forty candidates. Currently on medical leave, he is expected to take up the role in early 2025.