From South Bank to Canterbury: LSBU alumna makes history as first female Archbishop of Canterbury
London South Bank University (LSBU) alumna Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury — the first woman ever to become the Church of England’s top cleric.
Even though she will become the most senior bishop in the church, much of her career was spent in nursing, culminating in her appointment as the government’s Chief Nursing Officer in 1999. She was the youngest person to be appointed to the post, aged just 37.
Born in Surrey in 1962, she decided to become a nurse rather than a doctor while studying for her A-levels, because she wanted to apply a holistic approach to patient care.
Her nursing career began at LSBU (when we were then the South Bank Polytechnic) in 1980, when she became a Registered General Nurse with a BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies. She returned in 1990, gaining an MSc Interprofessional Health and Welfare Studies, including a distinction in research.
Ordained in 2001, Dame Sarah served her curacy in Battersea. She left her post as Chief Nursing Officer in 2004 to take up full-time ministry in Sutton, Surrey in 2006. In 2012, she became Canon Treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral.
She was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 2005 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to nursing and midwifery.
Dame Sarah served as an independent Governor for LSBU from 2005 until her retirement from our board in early 2015.
Making her first address as archbishop-designate on 3 October, she said: “I’m told that there will be much talk today of this being a historic moment and a joyous one for many. I share with you in that joy, not for myself, but for a church that listens to the calling of God and says: yes, we will follow you.”
Responding to the news of Dame Sarah’s appointment, LSBU Chancellor Simon Hughes said: “It is a huge honour for all of us that a graduate of London South Bank University is to become the new Archbishop of Canterbury. We send her our congratulations, warmest wishes and prayers.”
Paul Kett, LSBU Group CEO and Vice-Chancellor, added: “This is a moment of immense pride for LSBU – not only to see one of our alumni take on the most senior role in the Church of England, but to witness her making history in the process. Dame Sarah’s journey is a powerful testament to leadership, compassion and the breaking of barriers.”
While the Archbishop of Canterbury is automatically granted a House of Lords seat, she has sat there since 2018 as a senior bishop.
Dame Sarah is due to be installed at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026.