BISHOP Jonathan has appointed the Rev Amanda Collinson to be our new bishop’s chaplain.

Amanda, who is currently priest-in-charge of St John the Baptist, Northwood and All Saints, Gurnard with St Faith's Cowes on the Isle of Wight, will start in her new role in September. Her appointment was announced in her current churches this morning.

She had a career in the Royal Navy before training at Ripon College Cuddesdon and was ordained in 2009. She then worked as a curate in Clanfield and Catherington from 2009-13, before moving to take up her current role on the island. She was also area dean of the Isle of Wight from 2019-21.

She will move to Fareham in August with her husband James, who is a teacher, and her children Jacob, 12, and Samuel, 11. Amanda will become part of the Bishop’s Staff Team, which shares leadership of the diocese with the bishop.

She said: “I’m so delighted to have this opportunity to work closely with Bishop Jonathan in what is a very exciting time within the diocese.

“But of course it will be really sad to move away from Northwood and Gurnard, and to leave the Isle of Wight. The parishes and communities will forever have a special place in my heart. We have had ten amazing years here, our children have had the best childhoods and we have made friends for life."

The bishop’s chaplain has a role in providing spiritual support to the Bishop of Portsmouth, as well as an administrative role within the bishop’s office in Fareham.