Overview

• Downing Street is expected to reveal the nominee on Friday with the King's consent after the Crown Nominations Commission advanced its preferred candidate, and betting closed on Thursday ahead of the announcement.
• Bookmakers have tipped Bishops Guli Francis-Dehqani and Rachel Treweek as leading contenders, with Sarah Mullally also in the mix alongside male candidates such as Martyn Snow and Pete Wilcox.
• The selection was chaired by former MI5 director Sir Jonathan Evans and decided by 17 voting members, including representatives from the Anglican Communion, Canterbury and the Church’s governing body.
• The next leader inherits urgent tasks that include restoring trust over abuse scandals, steering divisions on same-sex blessings and marriage, and addressing declining participation.
• Following the naming, a legal confirmation of election is slated for January at St Paul’s Cathedral before enthronement at Canterbury, with the archbishop holding an automatic seat in the House of Lords.