A FORMER Dean of Poole’s nomination to become the next Bishop of Salisbury has been approved by the Queen.

The Very Reverend Stephen Lake, currently the Dean of Gloucester, has been approved to succeed Nicholas Holtam who retired last July.

Rev Lake, who was born in Poole in 1963, trained for ministry at Chichester Theological College and then held his curacy at Sherborne Abbey with Castleton and Lillington and was ordained priest in 1989.

He became vicar of St Aldhelm’s in Branksome from 1992 and was additionally appointed Rural Dean of Poole in 2000. In 2001, Stephen was appointed sub dean of St Albans, and took up his current role as Dean of Gloucester in 2011.

Responding to his appointment, Rev Lake said: “To be able to serve in the places that formed me will be something rare and special.

“I will enjoy visiting Dorset and Wiltshire and look forward to meeting as many people as possible.

“Coming from leading a major cathedral I have a clear sense of the importance of great organisation, of good culture and rootedness in place. I hope to lead a confident diocese as we move out of the pandemic together.”