Bishop John is Lord High Almoner and 113th Bishop of Worcester. In the latter role he is the chief pastor of the Diocese of Worcester, which has 280 churches across Worcestershire and Dudley.  His previous posts include that of a Vicar on Inner City Tyneside and Chaplain of Harrow School.  His first degree was in chemistry and he taught that subject before ordination. He is the Church of England’s Lead Bishop for Cathedrals and Church Buildings, which involves concern for the Church’s 16,000 or so parish churches across the nation.