Jonathan Petre named Archbishop of Canterbury’s head of media

Posted Nov 10, 2016

[Lambeth Palace press release] Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has appointed Jonathan Petre as head of media at Lambeth Palace. Petre is currently the religion and education correspondent at the Mail on Sunday newspaper.

This is a new role which will oversee day to day contact with the media and provide the archbishop with regular advice and guidance. The archbishop’s communications team at Lambeth, led by Director of Communications Ailsa Anderson, remains a total of three people.

Petre started his journalism career at the Catholic Herald and Daily Telegraph, covering politics, education and the Royal Family. He was also news editor at the Sunday Telegraph, managing a team of more than 20 journalists.

He has been with the Mail on Sunday for eight years and will take up his new role at the end of January.

Welby said: “Jonathan is an experienced and seasoned journalist with a strong background in reporting religious affairs both on the Church of England and the wider Anglican Communion. I am delighted he has chosen to use his obvious skills to serve the Church and we are all looking forward to working with him.”

Petre said: “I have covered religion for most of my journalistic life, and I am really looking forward to putting that experience to use in my new role at Lambeth Palace. I will be joining at an important and exciting time for the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, and I am particularly pleased to be working for such a highly respected archbishop. This is a tremendous opportunity for me to help communicate the vital role played by the Church both nationally and globally.”


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