The rector of St Bride’s Fleet Street, Canon David Meara, is to succeed the Venerable Peter Delaney when he retires from his post as the Archdeacon of London in June.

Canon Meara will remain as rector of St Bride’s, although with a diminished workload to allow him to take up the new office, one of the most ancient in the City and Diocese of London.

“I am looking forward immensely to the new challenges as Archdeacon of London, building on the wonderful work of Peter Delaney,” said Canon Meara, who spent all of his previous ministry in the Diocese of Oxford prior to joining St Bride’s in 2000.

“I bring to this job long and varied experience as a parish priest, listening and leadership skills, a lively interest in people, an appreciation of history and tradition, and a willingness to be creative as we look ahead to the future.

“I greatly look forward to working with Bishop Richard and the staff at the Old Deanery, the clergy and the people of the City Deanery, and the City Corporation, in celebrating the riches of the Christian faith and furthering the work of the Gospel in this great city.”

The Diocese of London paid tribute to the outgoing Rev Delaney’s “crucial and creative role” in the rejuvenation of the church in the City of London and in encouraging a dialogue between Christian faith and the arts in his capacity as vicar of All Hallows by the Tower and Archdeacon.

Following his retirement, Rev Delaney will guide the development of the online parish at St Stephen’s Walbrook at the request of the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres. He will also represent the Church Commissioners on the Board of the City Parochial Charities and chair the Diocesan Advisory Committee.

“Peter will have a busy retirement,” said Dr Chartres. “He has been a key figure in some of the most exciting developments of the past ten years and I am personally very grateful for his friendship and partnership in the Gospel.”