Joanne Grenfell became the Bishop of Stepney in July 2019. Previously, Joanne was Archdeacon of Portsdown in the Diocese of Portsmouth, and before that Director of Ordinands and Residentiary Canon in Sheffield. She has experience of outer housing estate and inner city parishes, chaplaincy, and cathedral ministry.
Before ordination, Joanne was Lecturer in English at Oriel College Oxford, where she completed a DPhil in English Literature, specializing in Edmund Spenser and cultural geography. She also has an MA from the University of British Columbia, and a first degree from Oxford. She trained for ordination at Westcott House.
Joanne’s interests include mission and strategic development, education, particularly school governance, public life, and poetry. She is a Trustee of the Trust for London which tackles poverty and inequality in the capital. Her diocesan responsibilities involve being Bishop Sarah’s lead bishop for safeguarding and overseeing the Diocese’s social engagement ministry.
She is married to the Revd Canon Dr James Grenfell, Director of the Portsmouth Pathway, and they have three children.
Instagram: joannegrenfell