The next Dean of Wakefield

The next Dean of Wakefield

Following a selection process run by the national church, the Bishop of Leeds has appointed The Revd Canon Dr Philip Hobday as the next Dean of Wakefield.  Philip joined the team at Wakefield Cathedral in September 2022 and is currently Sub-Dean, overseeing pastoral care, learning, outreach, and safeguarding.  He will take on the spiritual and administrative leadership of the Cathedral community – its staff, volunteers, and congregations – as well as joining the Deans of Ripon and Bradford in supporting the work of the Bishop of Leeds and of clergy and parishes across the diocese.

Wakefield Cathedral has been a place of Christian prayer and worship for over six hundred years and is an iconic location at the heart of the city and district.  A key partner for businesses, schools, and community groups, it is along with Bradford and Ripon one of three cathedrals serving parishes and communities across the Church of England’s Diocese of Leeds.

Before coming to Wakefield, Philip was Vicar of Earley on the edge of Reading.  His first clergy role was as Curate of St Peter-in-Thanet, Broadstairs, which was followed by six years as Chaplain and Dean of Chapel of Magdalene College, Cambridge.  He has degrees from Oxford, Cambridge, and Nottingham, and a doctorate from Durham University on the sixteenth-century Church of England theologian Richard Hooker.  He writes and teaches widely on Anglican theology and identity, Christian doctrine, and church history.  Philip is married to Hannah, who is Area Dean of Wakefield and vicar of three churches on the south-western edge of the city, and they have three children.

The Installation Service will be in the afternoon of Saturday 07 March 2026.

Toby Howarth, Acting Bishop of Leeds, commented

‘I am delighted that Philip has been chosen to be our next Dean of Wakefield. He is someone who cares deeply for Wakefield and its people. I have also appreciated the contribution he has made as Acting Dean to our wider diocesan leadership, particularly in his commitment to working across the diversity of the Leeds Diocese with its three cathedrals.’

John Dobson, Dean of Ripon, added

‘I was delighted to learn that Philip Hobday is to be the next Dean of Wakefield. He is a faithful priest blessed with great ability, sound judgement and good humour. He has already shown an inspiring commitment to Wakefield Cathedral and the Diocese of Leeds as a residentiary canon and acting dean. I very much look forward to working with him as we sustain the creative partnership between Bradford, Ripon and Wakefield cathedrals.’

Alison Dean, a Chapter Member (trustee), said

‘We were blessed to have a strong field to choose from in the selection of our new Dean. Philip really shone out as the best candidate to lead us forward into the next stage of our Cathedral’s life. We look forward to working with Philip and the whole Cathedral family as, with God’s help, we face the challenges and opportunities ahead.’

Jane Evans, Vice-Chair of Chapter (the Cathedral’s trustee body), added

‘I am thrilled that Philip is to become Dean of Wakefield. Having served for three years already here, he is able to hit the ground running yet at the same time brings a fresh energy and focus to lead the cathedral into its next season.’

Philip Hobday, Dean-designate of Wakefield, said

‘Wakefield Cathedral is an amazing place where a wonderful team of congregations, volunteers, lay staff, and clergy pray and serve together.  In communities which often feel overlooked or left behind, Yorkshire’s tallest spire lifts up our eyes to see the hope and possibility we have only because of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.  In particular, I look forward to working with the Deans of Bradford and Ripon so that clergy and parishes across the Diocese and from different church traditions can feel they have three cathedrals and three spiritual homes.  I am praying that I will be a wise and faithful steward of this building, its work, and above all its people, as we serve the Lord, the diocese, and the district in the years to come.’