The new Bishop of Stafford was named today as the Vicar of Southampton, the Rev Canon Geoffrey Annas.
He was today visiting the County Showground at Stafford after the Queen approved his nomination.
Mr Annas, aged 56, succeeds the Rt Rev Gordon Mursell, who retires on June 25 on health grounds after a series of operations on his vocal cords.
He studied for the ministry at Sarum and Wells Theological College and served his first curacy at Southwark Holy Trinity with St Matthew in Southwark diocese from 1983 to 1987.