Sarah Mullally has been installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England and the global Anglican communion. Her appointment, announced in October, marks a landmark moment for a church that still faces opposition to female priests in many parts of the world.
Mullally, a former chief nursing officer for the NHS, is known for her calm, competent, and collegial style. She has promised to be a 'calm, consistent and compassionate' shepherd, focusing on healing after years of abuse scandals and internal divisions. Her predecessor, Justin Welby, resigned in November 2024 following criticism over his handling of abuse allegations.
Born in 1961, Mullally attended a comprehensive school and studied nursing at South Bank Polytechnic. She rose quickly to become the youngest-ever chief nursing officer in 1999 at age 37, but left the role five years later to become a junior priest on a salary of £17,500. Colleagues describe her as 'quietly competent', 'reliable', and a team player who prefers consensus over conflict.
One of her most pressing challenges is restoring trust in the church's safeguarding procedures after the John Smyth abuse scandal. She also faces ongoing debates over sexuality, racial justice, and the legacy of slavery. With a mandatory retirement age of 70, Mullally has approximately six years to address these issues and steady the Anglican ship.
