The Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, has appointed The Revd Bridget Shepherd as the next Archdeacon of Wandsworth. In this role, Bridget will succeed the Venerable John Kiddle, who is due to retire in June 2025.
Bridget is currently Vicar of The Good Shepherd with St Peter, Lee. She is expected to move into the new role in late Spring. Bridget trained for ministry at Trinity College, Bristol, before serving her curacy in Croydon. She took up her current role in 2016 and served as Acting Archdeacon of Lewisham and Greenwich in 2024.
“Having lived in the Diocese of Southwark for 27 years, and having served in the Croydon and Woolwich areas over the past 16 years, it is a huge privilege to take on this new role,” said Bridget. “I am thrilled to be joining the team in the Kingston Episcopal Area, and to getting to know the churches and communities in the Wandsworth Archdeaconry. For all of my adult life I’ve been involved in full time mission and evangelism, and remain passionate about proclaiming the gospel, and finding contextually appropriate ways to do that in our different settings. I hope to bring that passion to this role.”
Bishop Christopher said: “Bridget is a person of wisdom, depth and enthusiasm – an outstanding parish priest, who is passionate about the difference that the Gospel of Christ makes in our communities. I have no doubt that Bridget will bring great insight and experience to all she undertakes, serving parishes in the Archdeaconry as we continue to focus on resourcing mission and ministry across the Diocese.”
The Rt Revd Dr Martin Gainsborough, Bishop of Kingston said: “I am thrilled that Bridget will be joining the Kingston Episcopal Area as Archdeacon of Wandsworth. It has been good to get to know Bridget as she worked in an acting Archdeacon capacity recently. Bridget will serve a vibrant and diverse part of the Episcopal Area where the local church continues to faithfully live out the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am looking forward to the fresh and practical perspective that Bridget will bring as together we share in ministry with the clergy and lay people of the Archdeaconry.”
About Bridget
Bridget was born in Bristol and moved to London in 1997.
Prior to ordination, Bridget worked in full-time youth ministry in a range of settings, including churches, schools and running an emergency accommodation project for young people. Following ordination training at Trinity College, Bristol, she was ordained deacon in 2008 and served her curacy at Emmanuel Church in Croydon, before becoming Associate Vicar there. In 2014, Bridget was appointed as Vicar of The Good Shepherd with St Peter, Lee. She became Assistant Area Dean of Lewisham in 2017 and was made Area Dean in 2023. She served as Acting Archdeacon of Lewisham and Greenwich in 2024, prior to The Revd Dr Chigor Chike, who took up the role in September.
Once she takes up this new appointment, Bridget will have worked in all three episcopal areas of the Diocese of Southwark.
Bridget is married to Nick, who is a Reader in Southwark Diocese, and they have two adult children. She is very active, enjoying indoor climbing, running and yoga. She is a cold water swimmer and is currently completing her fourth winter swimming challenge. She expresses her creativity through dressmaking, DIY and decorating.
