The Bishop’s Office

The Rt. Revd. Michael Beasley, former Bishop of Hertford, was installed as Bishop of Bath and Wells in November 2022. He lives in The Bishop’s Palace with his wife Lizzie and their two children, Charlie and Connie.

In October 2025, it was announced that Fiona Gibson will be the next Bishop of Taunton. She is currently the Archdeacon of Ludlow in the Diocese of Hereford, a role which she has held since 2021. The post of Bishop of Taunton has been vacant following the departure of Bishop Ruth to serve as Interim Bishop of Liverpool and the suffragan Bishop of Wigan.

Before taking on her role, Fiona will first need to be consecrated as a bishop. This will be followed by her installation as Bishop of Taunton in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, at a service at Wells Cathedral, early in 2026. Here is a link to more information about Fiona: https://www.bathandwells.org.uk/news/fiona-gibson-to-become-the-next-bishop-of-taunton.php

This link also includes a Youtube video where Fiona talks about her new role; you can access this here (wait for the ad first!):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdWSQ7Soa7g

The Bishops’ Office is based in the Beckynton Range of The Palace. This new range was built in the 1450s as a service block and is at right angles to the building established by Bishop Jocelin. It’s from here that the bishops carry out their pastoral, liturgical and public ministries in support of the mission of the Church of England. They are supported by a small team.