Hugh Nelson (bishop)

The Right Reverend Hugh Nelson
Bishop of Worcester
Church	Church of England
Province	Canterbury
Diocese	Worcester
In office	2026 – present
Predecessor	John Inge
Other posts	Bishop to the Forces (September 2021–present) Bishop of St Germans (2020–2026)
Orders
Consecration	15 July 2020 by  Sarah Mullally
Personal details
Born	1972 (age 53–54)
Nationality	British
Denomination	Anglican
Alma mater	Worcester College, Oxford Ripon College Cuddesdon

Hugh Edmund Nelson (born 1972) is a British Anglican bishop and former charity worker. Since 2026 he has been Bishop of Worcester, the head of the Diocese of Worcester.

Early life and education

Nelson was born in 1972. ^[1] He studied theology at Worcester College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1994. ^{[1] [2]} Before starting ministry in the Church of England, he spent 13 years working at L'Arche London, a charity supporting adults with learning disabilities. ^{[3] [4]} He trained for ordination at Ripon College Cuddesdon from 2007 to 2009. ^[1]

Ordained ministry

Nelson (second from right) acting as Bishop to the Forces, 2023

Nelson was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 2009 and as a priest in 2010. ^[1] From 2009 to 2012, he served his curacy across multiple parishes in the Diocese of Canterbury. ^[1] From 2012 to 2020 he was Vicar of Goudhurst and Kilndown in the Diocese of Canterbury. ^{[1] [3] [4]}

His appointment to St Germans was announced in January 2020; he was due be consecrated as a bishop in June 2020, but this was postponed due to the coronavirus epidemic. ^[2] He was consecrated in the Chapel of Lambeth Palace to 15 July 2020. The principal consecrator was Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, rather than the Archbishop of Canterbury: this was the first time a female bishop had led a consecration service in the Church of England. ^{[5] [6]} Since 20 September 2021, he has also been Bishop to the Forces. ^[7] From September 2023 to May 2025, he was acting diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Truro. ^{[8] [9]}

On 28 July 2025, it was announced that Nelson was to be the next Bishop of Worcester, the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Worcester. ^{[9] [10]} He was enthroned at Worcester Cathedral as the 114th Bishop of Worcester on 17 January 2026. ^[11]

Personal life

Nelson is married to Lizzie. Together they have four children. ^[12]

References

1. "Hugh Edmund Nelson" . Crockford's Clerical Directory (online ed.). Church House Publishing . Retrieved 21 January 2020.
2. Best, Richard (10 July 2020). "New Bishop of St Germans, Revd Hugh Nelson, to be consecrated at Lambeth Palace". Truro Diocese. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
3. "Suffragan Bishop of St Germans: 17 January 2020". GOV.UK. Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
4. "Name of the next Bishop of St Germans is announced by Downing Street". Truro Diocese. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
5. Best, Richard (15 July 2020). "New Bishop of St Germans, the Rt Revd Hugh Nelson, is consecrated at Lambeth Palace". Truro Diocese.
6. Wilkinson, Paul (16 July 2020). "Archbishops delegate consecrations in line with Five Guiding Principles". Church Times. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
7. "Bishop Hugh announced as Bishop to the Armed Forces". Truro Diocese. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
8. "Vacancy In See". Truro Diocese. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
9. "Appointment of Bishop of Worcester". GOV.UK. Prime Minister's Office. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
10. "Next Bishop of Worcester announced - Diocese of Worcester". www.cofe-worcester.org.uk. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
11. Giddings, Andy. "New bishop looks forward to meeting communities". BBC News. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
12. Reines, Jeff (22 January 2020). "Married dad of four will be Cornwall's new bishop". CornwallLive. Retrieved 19 September 2021.