[ACNS, by Rachel Farmer] A former university chaplain who served as a priest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is to lead the mission of the Cathedral of Gibraltar as its new Dean.

Church of England clergyman, Ian Tarrant, currently Rector of St Mary’s, Woodford, in the Diocese of Chelmsford, will take up his new role in the Diocese of Europe in April 2020.

The Diocese in Europe is the Church of England’s 42nd and most extensive diocese and the Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe, Dr Robert Innes, represents the Archbishop of Canterbury with the Institutions of the European Union.

Dr Innes and the Suffragan Bishop, Dr David Hamid, said: “This is a significant moment for our Diocesan Cathedral, as well as for the wider life of the Diocese. As Dean, Ian will lead the mission of the Cathedral, both as the seat of the Diocesan Bishop and as a place of worship and welcome for residents and visitors to Gibraltar. He will also be the senior priest of the Diocese and a key member of the Bishop’s senior staff team, contributing to the strategic development of the Diocese.”

They said they were thankful to have been able to appoint someone with wide experience and a depth of learning, as well as hands-on experience of pastoral ministry in different parts of the world. “We have no doubt that his interests and insights will significantly enrich the life of our Diocese,” they said.

Ian Tarrant grew up in the UK, studied physics at the University of Cambridge, and went on to work in Holland and Kenya. He trained for ordination at St John’s College Nottingham and was ordained in the Diocese of London. He subsequently served in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, before being appointed Senior Anglican Chaplain at the University of Nottingham, where he coordinated an ecumenical team of chaplains.

He moved to his current post in 2009, where the parish has become a stronger community that is more engaged in mission under his leadership. He has encouraged collaborative approaches to mission and ministry, as well as enabling the church to be a key player in the wider life of the community. He is also the author of several books, as well as co-editor of ‘Reimagining Worship: Renewing worship in a changing church’.

Ian Tarrant is married to Sally, who is a Reader, and teaches mathematics at university level. They have three grown-up children, living on three different continents.

He will be installed as Dean of Gibraltar on 2nd April.