THE Rev Jo Stobart will be returning home to the Bath and Wells Diocese as the next Archdeacon of Wells and Residentiary Canon of Wells Cathedral this autumn.

Currently chaplain to the Bishop of Exeter, Jo succeeds Anne Gell, who stepped down earlier this month after nine years in the role.

Ms Stobart first moved with her family to Bath and Wells in 2006 and was ordained deacon at Wells Cathedral in 2015.

She moved to Devon to take up the post of chaplain to the Bishop of Exeter in 2025.

Dr Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells, said, “I am thrilled that Jo is coming home.

“She is somebody with huge ability, who loves our diocese, loves Somerset and rural ministry.

“I am absolutely delighted to welcome her back with us as the new Archdeacon of Wells.”

Speaking on her appointment, Ms Stobart said: “I am overjoyed and honoured to be the next Archdeacon of Wells and Residentiary Canon of Wells Cathedral.

“The call to serve in this role was a tug at my vocational heart strings that I could not ignore.

“There will be much for me to learn, but I am looking forward to supporting the parishes of the Wells archdeaconry, getting to know its people and places, and joining in with the joyful mission of the cathedral.

“My husband Ian is a reader and, as somebody whose ministry began as a lay chaplain, I am a passionate advocate for shared ministry and finding ways in which we can further enable all God’s people to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

“The golden thread running through my whole working life has been teaching and learning, especially with children and young people, so I am looking forward to finding ways to bring that focus to my new role.”