The Archbishop of Canterbury has appointed a new chaplain, it was announced on Monday.

Revd Isabelle Hamley will oversee the development of the Archbishop's priority of prayer and the renewal of religious life, especially through the Community of St Anselm, in addition to her duties as chaplain.

The St Anselm Community is a monastic-style year-long programme based at Lambeth Palace and focused on prayer and service to the poor.

"I am delighted to welcome Isabelle to the team at Lambeth," Archbishop Justin Welby said.

"The Chaplain is a central part of life here, supporting the Archbishop and the family, maintaining the rhythms of worship and prayer and providing pastoral support for the community who live and work here.

"Isabelle comes to us highly commended by her diocese where she has served in several ministry roles, lay and ordained, in university, college and parish. She brings a pastoral heart, a spiritual richness and a rigorous theological understanding to what is a demanding role. We look forward to welcoming her, husband Paul and daughter Aelwen to London and life at Lambeth."

Originally from France, Hamley is currently a tutor in Biblical Studies at St John's College, Nottingham and associate priest in the parish of Edwalton. She will take up her new role in January.

"I am delighted with the opportunity to join the Lambeth team in supporting the work of the Archbishop. It is a privilege to join such a rich and diverse working environment, bringing my experience in parish, chaplaincy and theological education. I look forward to getting to know all those who work and live at Lambeth and enabling prayer to be the beating heart of our life together," she said.

Hamley became a British citizen only recently. During the process, she was asked: "Who is the Archbishop of Canterbury and where does he live?"