David Hoyle (priest)
David Michael Hoyle is a British Anglican priest and academic. He was Dean of Bristol from 2010 to 2019. In June 2019, he was announced as the next Dean of Westminster, and was installed as such on 16 November 2019.Early life and education
Hoyle was born in 1957 in Waterfoot, Lancashire, England. He was educated at Watford Grammar School for Boys, then an all-boys state grammar school in Watford, Hertfordshire. He studied history and theology at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980: as per tradition, his BA was promoted to a Master of Arts degree in 1983. From 1984 to 1986, he trained for ordination at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. He continued his studies at Magdalene College, Cambridge, completing his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1991. His doctoral thesis was titled "Near popery yet no popery: theological debate in Cambridge 1590-1644".Ordained ministry
Hoyle was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1986 and as a priest in 1987. His first post was as a curacy at The Good Shepherd Chesterton, Cambridge after which he was Fellow and Chaplain of Magdalene College, Cambridge. He was Vicar of Christ Church Southgate and then Director of Ministry for the Diocese of Gloucester and Residentiary Canon of Gloucester Cathedral until his appointment to the deanery in 2010.
He was installed as the Dean of Bristol on 29 May 2010. On 19 June 2019, it was announced that Hoyle had been appointed the next Dean of Westminster. He took up his appointment on 16 November 2019 following the retirement of John Hall. Four months later, the abbey was obliged to close its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, dealing what Hoyle described as a "shattering blow" to the abbey's finances, given that 90% of its income comes from visitors' entrance fees.
Hoyle was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to faith and vulnerable communities in Bristol.
