New Dean of Newport

A vicar who began his career as a tax accountant is taking on a key role in the Church in Wales.

Ian Black, Vicar of Peterborough as well as a Canon at Peterborough Cathedral, has been appointed as Dean of Newport, one of the most senior roles in the Diocese of Monmouth.

As Dean, Canon Ian will lead Newport Cathedral in its mission and ministry and will also be part of the Bishop of Monmouth’s leadership team

Announcing his appointment today (Jan 17), the Bishop, Cherry Vann, said, “I am delighted that Ian will be coming to join us here in Newport. Ian brings a wealth of experience from a wide range of contexts that will enrich the life of the diocese, as well as the Cathedral. His current roles in the church, city and Diocese of Peterborough equip him well for the ministry that awaits him here and I am very much looking forward to working with him.”

Canon Ian said, “It’s an honour to be asked to take on this new responsibility in Newport.

"Newport Cathedral has deep spiritual roots and I look forward to leading it as a vibrant house of worship, open and inclusive welcome and faithful and loving witness. I am also looking forward to getting out and about in the diocese and getting to know the parishes and communities in this part of Wales.

“There are lots of challenges facing our churches and communities, especially at the moment. But we can be confident in God, in Jesus Christ, who will see us through. This is God’s church and the sacred mission committed to us is God’s, so we need not fear. Everything we do is rooted in our prayers and worship, and from that we look to be open and inclusive in our welcoming, and faithful and loving in our witnessing as we seek to be agents of God’s kingdom and proclaim God’s love to the world.”

It is expected that Canon Ian and his wife Susan will move to Newport after Easter, and he will take up his new post later in the Spring.

Ian Black has served as Vicar of Peterborough, the parish in the heart of the city centre, and Canon Residentiary of Peterborough Cathedral, for the past nine years.

He was Rural Dean of Peterborough for five years and has had close involvement with the civic life of the city, currently serving as Mayor’s Chaplain to a Muslim mayor. Ian has been a trustee of a Christian charity establishing a hub of services for rough sleepers and helping them rebuild their lives on firm foundations.

After ordination Ian served his curacy in the Diocese of Canterbury at All Saints’ Maidstone, the town centre parish. During that time he served as a chaplain at Maidstone Prison and helped establish a day centre and first stage accommodation project for rough sleepers.

He went on to be priest-in-charge of a group of parishes in Faversham, a Minor Canon of Canterbury Cathedral and Assistant Director of Post-Ordination Training for the Diocese of Canterbury, in partnership with the Diocese of Rochester.

For 10 years Ian was Vicar of Whitkirk, a suburban and semi-rural parish on the eastern edge of Leeds. He was a training incumbent and supervised ordinands on placement, as well as being a tutor for curates in the first years of ministry. He served on the Chapter of Ripon Cathedral.

Prior to ordination, Ian had a career in tax, both with the Inland Revenue as a PAYE auditor and with a firm of chartered accountants as a tax accountant.

Education has been an important aspect of Ian’s ministry. He has had involvement with 19 schools including governorships, chairing a university chaplaincy council and training new clergy.

Ian was born and grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and is a former head chorister at Shakespeare’s Church – Holy Trinity. He studied in Canterbury, Lincoln Theological College and has a Master of Divinity degree from Nottingham University. He is married to Susan and they have two adult sons.

Ian is a spiritual writer and director. Publications include three books of prayers: Prayers for All Occasions (SPCK 2011), Intercessions for Years A, B & C (SPCK 2009) and Intercessions for the Calendar of Saints and Holy Days (SPCK 2005). His most recent book, Follow me: living the sayings of Jesus, was published by Sacristy Press in 2017. He has written a hymn based on this – Christ The Saviour.

Ian enjoys walking, photography, film and theatre. He is active on social media, is a keen reader and has a wide taste in music.