The Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, has announced the appointment of The Revd Dr Geoff Dumbreck as the next Archdeacon of Reigate.
Geoff is currently Vicar of the South Croydon Benefice and Area Dean of Croydon Central. In early 2025, he served as Acting Archdeacon of Croydon. His last Sunday in the Benefice will be 7 December and he is expected to take up his new role in early January 2026. He will succeed the Rt Revd Moira Astin, who was appointed as Bishop of Crediton in the Diocese of Exeter in July.
“Geoff is a person of great pastoral skill and tremendous theological insight – and I am delighted to make this appointment,” Bishop Christopher said. “The Reigate Archdeaconry is one of the most distinctive part of our diocese, with areas of rural beauty as well as urban and suburban communities. It’s a place of great contrasts, great beauty – and great opportunity for mission and ministry. I have no doubt that Geoff will be a blessing to us all in his new role.”
Geoff grew up in Surrey and studied theology at the University of Cambridge, where he studied for his PhD before training for ordained ministry at Ripon College Cuddesdon. He served his curacy at the Parish of the Ascension, Cambridge, before becoming Assistant Chaplain at Peterhouse, the oldest college in Cambridge University. As a parish priest, he has sought to build strong links with his local community, serving as governor of a primary school and as trustee of the South Croydon Day Centre.
“It’s a great privilege to have been appointed as the next Archdeacon of Reigate,” said Geoff. “I’m excited to get to know the parishes and communities of East Surrey and Sutton and look forward to working in partnership with them as we share the love of God, making Christ known in our towns and villages. I have loved my time in South Croydon and will miss the community here – but I’m delighted to be staying in the Croydon Episcopal Area, ministering alongside Bishop Rosemarie, Archdeacon Greg, and the rest of the Area team.”
“Through his time as Acting Archdeacon, Geoff has already demonstrated a deep commitment to our parishes and to working collaboratively with our clergy and lay people,” said The Rt Revd Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon. “I’m delighted that he’ll be staying in the Croydon Episcopal Area and look forward to working with him.”
In his spare time, Geoff enjoys cooking for friends, spending time with his dog (a two year old Jack Russell called Edna), and enjoying music. He is currently trying to teach himself the ukulele. Geoff owns a narrowboat, which he keeps in Surrey. He says, “I find slowing down to 4 mph gives me space to think and to notice the wonders of God’s creation.”
More about Geoff
Geoff Dumbreck grew up in Guildford, Surrey. He studied theology at the University of Cambridge, specialising in philosophy of religion. There he completed a doctorate on the German theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher and religious experience.
Geoff served his curacy in Cambridge, in a suburban parish with four church buildings. While still a curate, he began serving as Assistant Chaplain of Peterhouse, the oldest college in Cambridge University. He combined the roles for two years, before moving to the college full time and taking on extra responsibilities for student welfare.
Geoff has been Vicar of the South Croydon Benefice (St Peter’s, Croydon and St Augustine’s, South Croydon), for six years and Area Dean of Croydon Central Deanery since 2022. He served as Acting Archdeacon of Croydon from January to March 2025, alongside Mother Joyce Forbes.
He is a Tutor in Christian doctrine on the Southwark Diocesan Bishop’s Certificate Course. More recently, he has contributed to the Southwark Leadership Programme.
Geoff is the author of Schleiermacher and Religious Feeling (Peeters, 2012), and co-editor of Head and Heart: Perspectives from Religion and Psychology (Templeton Press, 2013).
