12 Facts About Eleanor Sanderson

Eleanor Ruth Sanderson is an English Anglican bishop who has served as Bishop of Hull, a suffragan bishop in the Church of England Diocese of York, since 2022.

Eleanor Sanderson previously served as an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Wellington within the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.

Eleanor Sanderson became the first woman bishop in the Wellington diocese when she was consecrated on 2 June 2017.

Eleanor Sanderson was born in England, and grew up in Derbyshire.

Eleanor Sanderson attended Bristol University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in geography.

Eleanor Sanderson graduated with a Master of Development Studies with distinction in 2002, and a PhD in 2007.

Eleanor Sanderson holds a Master in Theology degree, and was a fellow of public theology at Virginia Theological Seminary.

Eleanor Sanderson was vicar of St Alban's Anglican Church in Eastbourne, New Zealand, and was chaplain at Wellesley College, a boys preparatory school which is affiliated with the Anglican Church.

Eleanor Sanderson was nominated for the position of assistant bishop on 11 May 2017, by the diocesan electoral college.

Eleanor Sanderson had already been appointed to a significant post within the diocese, as the diocesan canon theologian.

Eleanor Sanderson was consecrated at the Cathedral of St Paul in Wellington on 2 June 2017, at a service led by Anglican archbishops Winston Halapua and Philip Richardson.

In 2017, Eleanor Sanderson contributed to a special liturgy celebrating the fortieth anniversary of women's ordination in the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.