The Bishop of Manchester, The Rt Revd Prof David Walker is delighted to announce the appointment of The Revd Canon Rachel Watts as Director of Vocations following in the successful footsteps of The Revd Canon Nick Smeeton.
Rachel was ordained Deacon in Blackburn Diocese and served her curacy at St Mary Magdalene Clitheroe. In May 1994, Rachel was among the first women to be ordained priest in the Diocese of Blackburn at a service at Lancaster Priory. Having completed her curacy Rachel moved back to her sponsoring Diocese of Norwich as Assistant Priest of St Peter Mancroft in the heart of the city
In 1997, Rachel returned to Lancashire to take up the post of Vicar of St Luke’s Slyne-with-Hest on Morecambe Bay. During this time Rachel was appointed Diocesan Advisor for Women’s Ministry, a position she held for 13 years, serving on Diocesan Senior staff and as the Northern Region Rep and eventually Chair of the National Association of Diocesan Advisors on Women’s Ministry. During this time Rachel also joined the team as an advisor for Diocesan Panels.
In 2004, following her marriage to Ian who is also ordained, Rachel moved to Burnley to be Vicar of St James Briercliffe. Their son Harry was born in Burnley and is very proud of being a Lancashire lad and firm supporter of Lancashire cricket and Burnley Football Team.
In 2011 the family moved to Uppingham in the county of Rutland in the Diocese of Peterborough, where Rachel took up the post of Rector of the Uppingham Benefice. During the last 11 years Rachel has served in the diocese as Assistant DDO among other roles. Rachel is passionate about God’s people and enabling all to discern to what and to where God is calling them.
Accepting the role, Rachel said:
“I am really excited about coming to the Diocese and journeying with you at this exciting time as we discern God’s calling, reach out in mission and are bold about the future.”
Bishop David is delighted to welcome Canon Rachel Watts to the role of Director of Vocations. She brings a wealth of experience in vocations and leadership roles and we look forward to her building on the already strong work that we do in encouraging both lay and ordained vocations within the Diocese of Manchester.
Rachel's start date as Director of Vocations will be Wednesday, 11th December 2025.