The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE

Dean of Westminster

David Hoyle is the 39th Dean of Westminster, overseeing the spiritual life of Westminster Abbey and giving leadership to the Abbey community. He was installed as Dean on 16th November 2019.

Dr Hoyle studied history and then theology at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he was successively the Bridges and the Lightfoot Scholar. He subsequently worked for a PhD with a thesis on the later stages of the Reformation in England. He then trained for the ministry at Ripon College, Cuddesdon, and served his title as Curate of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Cambridge, from 1986 to 1988.

In 1988 Dr Hoyle was appointed Chaplain (later Dean of Chapel) and Fellow of Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he also served as Director of Studies in Theology. In 1995 he moved to become Vicar of Christ Church, Southgate in London, before transferring to Gloucester in 2002 as Director of Ministry and Canon Residentiary of Gloucester Cathedral. From 2010 until 2019 David Hoyle was Dean of Bristol. 

Dr Hoyle has a particular interest in theological education. He is a published author with recent books about ministry and doctrine. He also has wide experience in school governance. In his ministry in Bristol, he was drawn into the debate about the legacy of transatlantic slavery, into charity governance and into issues of social justice. He served as Chair of the College of Deans from 2018 until 2020 and was closely involved in conversations about the governance and management of cathedrals. His interests include literature, art and walking. In 2020 he was awarded an MBE for service to the community while Dean of Bristol.