The Rev'd Dr Christopher Cunliffe has been appointed to the post of Archdeacon of Derby, succeeding the Ven Ian Gatford who retired in September 2005.

An Archdeacon in the Church of England is a demanding, senior post and in the Diocese of Derby, which covers Derbyshire, there are just two. They work closely with the Bishop of Derby and hold a brief for the Bishop in the business life and policy-making committees of the diocese and wider church. Each has oversight of approximately half of Derbyshire's Anglican churches. The Rev'd Dr Christopher Cunliffe, (50), will relate to 143 parishes in the south of the county as well as supporting and networking with a wide variety of other ordained and non-clergy post-holders in the diocese.

Currently Chaplain to the Bishop of Bradwell in the Diocese of Chelmsford, which covers Essex and East London, the Rev'd Dr Christopher Cunliffe will be licensed as Archdeacon at an installation service in Derby Cathedral to make him Archdeacon, after which he will take on the title 'The Venerable'. The service is likely to be in April but a date is yet to be confirmed.

He said: "It is wonderful I should be taking up a post in Derby as I have very close connections with the city and surrounding areas through my family and my wife's family. My father lived in Burton-on-Trent and he was also an apprentice in the railway workshops in Derby. I also have two aunts living locally. My wife, Helen, lived there since the age of three and her mother still lives in Derby. We know the area well, so it feels a very familiar and secure place to come to and I'm very excited about getting to know so many more people when I begin my duties later in the year."

In fact, Christopher began his ordained ministry in the Diocese of Derby when he was Assistant Curate at St Mary and All Saints Church in Chesterfield (the famous Crooked Spire) from 1983-1985. He worked alongside his wife who was also a Curate at the church in one of the first job-share arrangements in the Church of England.

In 1985 he became Chaplain of Lincoln College, Oxford, until 1989, when he became Chaplain of the City University and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. In 1991 he took a post in the Church of England's Advisory Board of Ministry, Westminster, which involved co-ordinating vocation and selection conferences for people seeking ordination. From 1997-2003 he was Director of Ministry in the Diocese of London and has been Chaplain to the Bishop of Bradwell in the Diocese of Chelmsford since 2004.

Christopher's wife, Helen, is currently an Archdeacon in the Diocese of St Albans and the couple will become the first husband and wife Archdeacons in the Church of England. They have two children, Edward (22) and Jacob (17). Christopher is a keen historian, with a doctorate in the subject and a continuing interest in research and writing. He also has an interest in African history and culture, stimulated by recent visits there. To relax, he enjoys reading fiction and poetry, listening to music, and watching sport.

The Rt Rev'd Dr Alastair Redfern, Bishop of Derby said: "I am delighted Christopher will be joining us in the Diocese of Derby. He brings a wealth of expertise and experience in the oversight of church ministry and has an impressive track record in leadership skills. Combined with his easy manner and friendliness, I am certain he will be a great asset to the diocese and a welcome support to all those in his charge."

ENDS