Rt Revd Nick Baines

Nick Baines is the Bishop of Leeds for the new Diocese of West Yorkshire & the Dales. He was previously Bishop of Bradford (2011-14) and Bishop of Croydon (2003-11).
He has a degree in German and French and before ordination worked as a Russian linguist at GCHQ. He has represented the Archbishop of Canterbury at international faith conferences and is the English Co-chair of the Meissen Commission which develops the relationship between the Church of England and the Evangelical Church in Germany. He also preaches regularly at conferences in Germany – in German.

Nick Baines is known for his engagement with the media. He has 10,000 followers on Twitter, a well-viewed blog and he is often heard on the Chris Evans Show on Radio 2 and Thought for the Day on Radio 4. He is regularly asked to comment on national issues and his recent letter to the Prime Minister, which asked whether the government had a coherent strategy on Iraq and Syria, made the front page of the Observer and sparked an international debate. He also chairs the Sandford St Martin Trust which promotes excellence in religious broadcasting through the presentation of annual awards.