Simon Burton-Jones will be the next Bishop of Tonbridge after having his nomination approved by the Queen, 10 Downing Street has announced today.

He currently serves as Archdeacon of Rochester and Canon Residentiary at Rochester Cathedral and succeeds Rt Rev Brian Castle, who retired in 2015.

Bishop Burton-Jones, a father-of-two, will focus on evangelism and growth. This aspiration and intention to grow is rooted in 'Called Together', the Diocese of Rochester’s vision.

He will also have oversight and leadership of the education, youth and children, and community engagement work of churches across the Diocese, chairing the Diocesan Board of Education, and supporting its 89 Church of England schools.

Speaking of his new role, he said: "We are living in an era of extraordinary, almost unprecedented, change. What we need to develop as a Church is this sense that God is before us, and we can have trust and confidence in Him to face these challenges together.

"Understanding how we do discipleship, following Jesus, I think is one of the most exciting challenges that we face, that’s one I’m really looking forward to sharing with people.

"I am excited to be able to serve others as Bishop of Tonbridge. Originally from Lancashire, Kent has been my adopted county for over twenty years and we have brought our children up here.

"Having received so much from its people, I can continue to give something back and contribute to the well-being of its different communities."

The Bishop of Rochester Rt Rev James Langstaff added: "I am delighted that Simon Burton-Jones has been appointed as the next Bishop of Tonbridge. He is a thoughtful theologian and gifted communicator.

"As Archdeacon of Rochester he has supported the mission of the Church in some of Kent and Medway’s most deprived communities, and steered the development of valuable new work in Chatham and Ebbsfleet."

Bishop Burton-Jones studied law and worked as a researcher and political campaigner before ordination - training for the priesthood at St John’s College, Nottingham, and serving churches in East Lancashire and across the Diocese of Rochester before becoming Archdeacon in 2010.

The date of his consecration in London is July 3 – 25 years to the day since the bishop was ordained Deacon in the Church of England.

He will be consecrated alongside Dr John Perumbalath as the sixth Bishop of Bradwell in Essex, who previously served in the Diocese of Rochester from 2002-2013.