The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) works prayerfully and collaboratively to discern and nominate the next Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Crown Nominations Commission for the Archbishop of Canterbury nomination is larger than that for other diocesan bishops, with 17 voting members in a wider Commission made up of 20 members.

In 2022, General Synod approved changes to the CNC’s Standing Orders that increased the number of representatives from the Anglican Communion from one to five for the CNC of the See of Canterbury. They are nominated by the Anglican Communion, one from each of the five regions and include primates, clergy and lay people.

Voting members

• Chair: Lord (Jonathan) Evans of Weardale (appointed by the Prime Minister)
• Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell
• Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher (elected by the House of Bishops)

Anglican Communion representatives (nominated by the 5 regions of the Communion):

• Americas –  Mr Joaquín Philpotts.
• Oceania – The Reverend Canon Isaac Beach.
• Africa –  The Reverend Professor Grace Nkansa Asante.
• Asia – The Most Reverend Hosam Naoum.
• Europe – The Right Reverend Mary Stallard.

Central Members (drawn from the CNC Central Members elected by General Synod, or a member of the General Synod nominated to represent them):

• Ms Christina Baron
• Miss Debbie Buggs
• The Reverend Canon Paul Cartwright
• The Reverend Lis Goddard
• The Reverend Canon Claire Lording
• Mr Clive Scowen

Canterbury Diocesan representatives:

The following representatives were elected by the Canterbury Vacancy in See Committee (and announced on May 27) :

• The Reverend Estella Last
• David Berry
• Sally-Ann Marks

Non-voting members

• Secretary to the Commission: Stephen Knott (Archbishops’ Secretary for Appointments)
• Jonathan Hellewell (Prime Minister’s Appointments Secretary)
• The Right Reverend Anthony Poggo (The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion)

Following a public consultation that saw thousands of people share their views on the qualities needed in the next Archbishop of Canterbury. Through the CNC meetings, the Commission will agree the ‘Role Profile’ and ‘Person Specification’ for the next Archbishop of Canterbury, discern the longlist, shortlist and interview candidates. A Church of England news said that an announcement of the next Archbishop would be "expected this autumn".

The Chair of the Canterbury CNC, Lord (Jonathan) Evans said: “Helping to choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury is both a great responsibility and a privilege. The Crown Nominations Commission understands the weight of this important decision and we pray for God's hand on the process.  

“I thank those who have taken part in the public consultation across the country and the Anglican Communion, helping us to establish the gifts, skills and qualities required in the next Archbishop. Do please keep the CNC process in your prayers as we seek to discern who God is calling to this important ministry.”

For more information

You can also read this announcement on the Church of England website. 

Learn more about the nominations process for the next Archbishop of Canterbury on the Church of England website.

Read the biographies of those on the CNC on the Church of England website.

(Article updated on May 30).