Introducing Bishop Rob Gillion

We are delighted to introduce Bishop Rob Gillion to Hatfield Park. We recently sat down with him to find out more about his career, this is what he had to say…

I was born in rural Norfolk and educated at Norwich School, where I sang as a Cathedral Chorister. After leaving Norfolk, I attended Drama School in London, which led to a career in theatre, TV, and film as a professional actor. It was during my time at Drama School that I met Janine, who was also studying for the stage and earning teaching qualifications. After her graduation, we married in her home village of Cumnor in Oxford. Together, we have two children, Alex and Arthur, and three wonderful grandchildren, Isla, James, and Esme.

After twelve years in acting, I began to hear God’s call to serve as a priest in the Church. I left the stage to study theology at Salisbury and Wells Theological College, and I was subsequently ordained in Norwich Cathedral, the very place where I had sung as a chorister many years earlier.

My journey in ministry began in rural Norfolk as a Curate in East Dereham and then as Team Vicar serving the parish of Richmond in Surrey. This was followed by an international ministry in Hong Kong, where I served on the staff of St John’s Cathedral. My work there involved planting a new church, serving as a Chaplain to a high-security prison, and heading Religious Broadcasting during the ‘Handover’ period.

After ten years in Hong Kong, I returned to London to become the Bishop’s Officer for Evangelism and joined the Archbishops’ College of Evangelists. My next appointments were as Area Dean of Chelsea and Rector of Holy Trinity Sloane Square with St Saviours. During my time there, I founded a Theatre Church, which engaged ex-offenders and vulnerable young people at risk in London, using the performing arts, especially Shakespeare.

I was then elected as the Diocesan Bishop of Riverina in NSW, Australia—an outback diocese as large as England, Scotland, and Wales combined. This role was a tremendous adventure and a wonderful challenge. After this, I returned to the UK to retire, settling in Lincolnshire. However, it wasn’t long before I was called back to full-time ministry as an Assistant Bishop in Lincoln, and later, I moved to London to become Bishop for the Arts in the Southwark Diocese and Vicar of Christ Church Streatham in 2020.

Throughout my life—whether as an Actor, Vicar, Rector, Prison Chaplain, Area Dean, or Bishop, and now as Chaplain—I have always been committed to pastoral care and mission, seeking to make Christ known.

In retirement, I was delighted to accept the invitation to serve as Chaplain to Lord Salisbury. Though I’ve retired from full-time Episcopal and parish ministry, I am thrilled to serve this community alongside my wife, Janine. We offer worship and prayer each morning in Hatfield House Chapel at 8:45 a.m., and on Sundays, I celebrate Holy Communion at the same time. We also hold Choral Evensong and special services from time to time. If you would like to attend any of these services, please do let me know—you would be most welcome.

I have also been invited to sit on the Estate Management Team, and I am eager to serve the entire Estate community. I enjoy visiting the various residents in the Park and participating in the many events that take place here. Additionally, I’ve been licensed as Assistant Bishop in the St Albans Diocese and commissioned as Bishop for the Arts, a role that is particularly suited for ministry at Hatfield House. Along with Lord Salisbury, I am enthusiastic about promoting opportunities for the Arts, especially in worship and performance through music and drama.

In my spare time, I enjoy being with family and friends, playing golf, and perhaps in the future, trying my hand at real tennis!