Dame Sarah Mullally: From Nurse to the First Female Archbishop of Canterbury

Early Life & Education

• Sarah Elisabeth Mullally (née Bowser) was born on 26 March 1962 in Woking, Surrey, England.
• She was educated locally and later studied nursing; she earned qualifications from London South Bank University and additional theological education at South East Institute for Theological Education and at Heythrop College, London.
• Before entering ordained ministry, she worked as a nurse and also served in senior public health roles in the UK government.

Nursing & Public Service Career

• Mullally had a distinguished career in nursing and public health.
• In 1999, she became the youngest person ever to hold the post of Chief Nursing Officer for England.
• As a senior civil servant, she was involved in health policy before eventually moving toward ordained ministry.

Ordained Ministry & Episcopal Service

• Mullally was ordained as a deacon in 2001 and as a priest in 2002.
• In June 2015, it was announced that she would become Bishop of Crediton (a suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Exeter). She was consecrated a bishop on 22 July 2015 by then-Archbishop Justin Welby in Canterbury Cathedral.
• She and Rachel Treweek were the first women to be consecrated as bishops in Canterbury Cathedral.
• In December 2017, she was chosen to succeed Richard Chartres as Bishop of London (one of the most senior diocesan positions in the Church of England).
• As Bishop of London, Mullally held additional senior roles: she became a member of the House of Lords (as a Lord Spiritual) and was sworn into the Privy Council in March 2018.
• She also became the first female Dean of the Chapel Royal (a historic royal ecclesiastical office) in July 2019.
• She played a visible role in national ceremonies, including participating in the 2023 coronation.

Appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury

• On 3 October 2025, the announcement was made that Sarah Mullally had been selected as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, making her the first woman ever to hold that office in the Church of England’s history.
• Her appointment follows the resignation of Archbishop Justin Welby in November 2024.
• The change was made possible because, in earlier years, the Church of England adjusted its rules to allow women to serve as bishops.
• Although she has been announced as Archbishop, she will formally take on the role following a “confirmation of election” (scheduled in January) and then an enthronement ceremony.

Personal & Honors

• Mullally is married and has two children.
• She holds the honorific Dame (DBE) in recognition of her contributions to nursing and public service.
• She has received honorary fellowships and honorary doctorates from a number of UK universities, including:
  • London South Bank University
  • Canterbury Christ Church University
  • Bournemouth University
  • University of Wolverhampton
  • University of Hertfordshire

Ven. David Nwanekpe

Sources / References

1. Official announcement from the Archbishop of Canterbury website: The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE to become 106th Archbishop
2. Anglican / diocesan news (Newcastle Anglican): The Rt Revd Sarah Mullally to become 106th Archbishop of Canterbury
3. Wikipedia article on Sarah Mullally (for aggregated biographical and career details)
4. News coverage:
   • Reuters: UK names Mullally as first female Archbishop to lead Church of England