Hugh Edmund Nelson is the 114th Bishop of Worcester.
List of all the Bishops of Worcester
Bishop Hugh was born in 1972. He studied theology at Worcester College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1994. Before starting ministry in the Church of England, he spent 13 years working at L'Arche London, a charity supporting adults with learning disabilities. He trained for ordination at Ripon College Cuddesdon from 2007 to 2009.
He was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 2009 and as a priest in 2010. From 2009 to 2012, he served his curacy across multiple parishes in the Diocese of Canterbury. From 2012 to 2020 he was Vicar of Goudhurst and Kilndown in the Diocese of Canterbury.
His appointment to St Germans was announced in January 2020; he was due be consecrated as a bishop in June 2020, but this was postponed due to the coronavirus epidemic. He was consecrated in the Chapel of Lambeth Palace to 15 July 2020. The principal consecrator was Sarah Mullally, then Bishop of London, rather than the Archbishop of Canterbury: this was the first time a female bishop had led a consecration service in the Church of England. Since 20 September 2021, he has also been Bishop to the Forces. From September 2023 to May 2025, he was acting diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Truro.
In January 2026 he was installed as Bishop of Worcester and will continue in his role as Bishop to the Armed Forces, providing spiritual and pastoral leadership to chaplains serving in the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.
Nelson is married to Lizzie. Together they have four children. Outside ministry, he enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, and playing cricket. He is “delighted” that he will be living opposite New Road cricket ground, the home of Worcestershire CCC.
With All Your Heart: a retreat in preparation for Lent
14 February 2026
A Church Times/Canterbury Press online retreat.
tickets available now
Merlin’s Isle: A Journey in Words and Music with Malcolm Guite and the St Martin's Voices
17 February 2026
A Canterbury Press event at Temple Church, London. The Poet and Priest draws out the Christian bedrock at the heart of the Arthurian stories, revealing their spiritual depth and enduring resonance.
tickets available now
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