[News and Views] The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revdd Tim Stevens has appointed the first woman Provost in the Church of England. The Revd Vivienne Faull, who is currently vice-Provost and Canon Pastor of Coventry Cathedral, will take up the new post later this year.

"This appointment has been made after wide consultation in the city and county," said Bishop Tim Stevens. "I believe that Vivienne will bring to the post of Provost wide experience of cathedral ministry, good communication skills and a new sense of direction for a new Millennium."

Vivienne's ministry began working with CMS teaching English in North India. In 1979 she worked as a youth and community worker in Liverpool, and then trained as a deaconess at St John's Theological College in Nottingham.

After returning to Liverpool to work at St Matthew and St James Mossley Hill, Vivienne was appointed to Clare College, Cambridge, as the first woman chaplain of an Oxbridge college. She was ordained deacon in 1987 and elected to the General Synod of the Church of England. She became Chaplain of Gloucester Cathedral, before moving to Coventry.

As well as serving on the several Boards, Vivienne (44) also enjoyed being the Director of Greenbelt, Europe's largest regular Christian rock festival, for five years.

"I am delighted to be coming to Leicester Cathedral," Vivienne Faulls said, "at a point where the Cathedral appeal means that we can not only dream dreams but begin to make these dreams a reality in terms of ministry in the city and county."