The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle KCVO MBE

Dean of Westminster

David Hoyle is the 39th Dean of Westminster, overseeing the spiritual life of Westminster Abbey and giving leadership to the Abbey community. He was installed as Dean on 16th November 2019. His first two years here were dominated by the experience of the pandemic and its impact on the Abbey community. More recently, he has officiated at the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and at Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen.

Dr Hoyle studied history and theology in Cambridge, and subsequently did doctoral research on the later stages of the Reformation in England. His ministry took him to a housing estate in Cambridge, to Magdalene College, and to a Vicarage in North London before he became Director of Ministry and Canon Residentiary of Gloucester Cathedral. From 2010 until 2019 David Hoyle was Dean of Bristol.

He is a published author with recent books about ministry and doctrine. In Bristol, he was drawn into the debate about the legacy of transatlantic slavery, into charity governance and into issues of social justice. He served as Chair of the College of Deans from 2018 until 2020 and was closely involved in conversations about the governance and management of cathedrals. His interests include literature, art and walking.

In 2020 he was awarded an MBE for service to the community whilst Dean of Bristol. He was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in the 2024 New Year honours for his role at the Coronation of The King and Queen in May 2023.