New Dean for diocese
It was announced today (Sunday 17 January 2021) that the Revd Canon Ian Black has been appointed as the next Dean of Newport.
Canon Ian has been Vicar of Peterborough and a Residentiary Canon at Peterborough Cathedral since 2012 and comes with a huge amount of experience and enthusiasm.
The Right Revd Cherry Vann, Bishop of Monmouth, said: “I am delighted that Ian will be coming to join us here in Newport. Ian brings a wealth of experience from a wide range of contexts that will enrich the life of the diocese as well as the Cathedral. His current roles in the Church, City and Diocese of Peterborough equip him well for the ministry that awaits him here and I am very much looking forward to working with him.”
In his new role, Canon Ian will lead Newport Cathedral in its mission and ministry and also, become an integral part of the bishop’s leadership team.
Canon Ian said: “It’s an honour to be asked to take on this new responsibility in Newport.
"Newport Cathedral has deep spiritual roots and I look forward to leading it as a vibrant house of worship - open and inclusive welcome and faithful and loving witness.
“I am also looking forward to getting out and about in the diocese and getting to know the parishes and communities in this part of Wales.
“There are lots of challenges facing our churches and communities, especially at the moment. But we can be confident in God in Jesus Christ who will see us through. This is God’s church and the sacred mission committed to us is God’s, so we need not fear. Everything we do is rooted in our prayers and worship, and from that we look to be open and inclusive in our welcoming, faithful and loving in our witnessing as we seek to be agents of God’s kingdom and proclaim God’s love to the world.”
It is expected that Canon Ian and his wife Susan will move to South Wales after Easter, and he will take up his new post later in the Spring.
Biography:
Ian is Vicar of Peterborough, the civic parish in the heart of the city centre, and Canon Residentiary of Peterborough Cathedral.
He served as Rural Dean of Peterborough for 5 years and has had close involvement with the civic life of the city, currently serving as Mayor’s Chaplain to a Muslim mayor. Over the past 9 years the church has become a centre for culture and hospitality as well as prayer and worship. Ian has been a trustee of a Christian charity establishing a hub of services for rough sleepers and helping them rebuild their lives on firm foundations.
After ordination he served his curacy in the Diocese of Canterbury at All Saints’ Maidstone, the civic town centre parish. During the time he served as a chaplain at Maidstone Prison and helped establish a day centre and first stage accommodation project for rough sleepers.
He served as priest-in-charge of a group of parishes in Faversham, which was a turn-around role following the previous incumbent and a large proportion of the congregation leaving to join the Roman Catholic Church over the ordination of women. Ian established close relationships with the schools and community and left a church with a future. He was also a Minor Canon of Canterbury Cathedral and Assistant Director of Post-Ordination Training for the Diocese of Canterbury in partnership with the Diocese of Rochester.
For 10 years Ian was Vicar of Whitkirk, a vibrant suburban and semi-rural parish on the eastern edge of Leeds. He was a training incumbent and supervised ordinands on placement, as well as being a tutor for curates in the first years of ministry.
Prior to ordination Ian had a career in tax, both with the Inland Revenue as a PAYE Auditor and a firm of Chartered Accountants as a Tax Accountant.
Education has been an important aspect of Ian’s ministry, involvement with 19 schools including governorships, chairing a university chaplaincy council and training new clergy.
Ian was born and grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and is a former head chorister at Shakespeare’s Church – Holy Trinity. He studied in Canterbury, Lincoln Theological College and has a Master of Divinity degree from Nottingham University. He is married to Susan and they have two adult sons.
Ian is a spiritual writer and director. Publications include three books of prayers: Prayers for all occasions (SPCK 2011), Intercessions for Years A, B & C (SPCK 2009) and Intercessions for the Calendar of Saints and Holy Days (SPCK 2005). His most recent book, ‘Follow me: living the sayings of Jesus’, was published by Sacristy Press in 2017. He has written a hymn based on this – Christ the Saviour.
Ian enjoys walking, photography, film and theatre. He is active on social media, is a keen reader and has a wide taste in music.
For more information or interview requests, please contact:
Debra Goddard
Diocesan Communications Officer
Email: debragoddard@churchinwales.org.uk
Mobile: 07392319065