Nick Holtam

Early life and education

Holtam grew up around Edmonton, London, where he attended the Latymer School before going to Collingwood College, Durham University, where he studied geography. After graduating, he studied for ordination at both King's College, London and Westcott House theological college, University of Cambridge.

As a priest

Holtam was made deacon at Michaelmas 1979 (30 September), by Gerald Ellison, Bishop of London, at St Paul's Cathedral, and ordained priest the Michaelmas following (28 September 1980), by Jim Thompson, Bishop of Stepney, at St Mary's, Islington. He was an assistant curate at St Dunstan's, Stepney. In 1983, he moved to Lincoln Theological College, where he was a tutor in Christian ethics and mission. In 1988, he became the vicar of The Isle of Dogs.

From 1995 to 2011, Holtam was the vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, which is located in the busy Trafalgar Square area of the Diocese of London, where he initiated and led a £36 million buildings renewal. St Martin’s has a ministry to homeless people as well as being the Royal Parish Church. Due to its location and tradition the church and its clergy have often had close connections to the Royal Family, the British Government, the Admiralty and the BBC. While in this position, he was a regular broadcaster and the author of many articles and two books, A Room with a View: Ministry with the World at Your Door (SPCK 2008) and The Art of Worship: Paintings, Prayers and Readings for Meditation (National Gallery London with Yale University Press, 2011)

As a bishop

On 12 April 2011, it was announced that Holtam had been nominated to become the Bishop of Salisbury. His last service at St Martin-in-the-Fields was on 10 July 2011, his canonical election was confirmed on 21 July and he was consecrated as a bishop on 22 July by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, at St Paul's Cathedral. He was installed at Salisbury Cathedral on 15 October.

In February 2012, Holtam became the first Church of England bishop to publicly support same-sex marriage. In June 2013, Holtam wrote in response to a request from Waheed Alli asking him to clarify his views on same-sex marriage and explain why he differs from the official statements made by the Church of England. Acknowledging that members of the Church of England hold varied views, Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, said in the House of Lords that this was a “strong and welcome contribution”.

Holtam is a trustee of the National Churches Trust and chairs the Church of England Ministry Division’s Committee for Ministry with and among Deaf and Disabled People. He is a vice-president of the Royal School of Church Music and in 2013 was made an Honorary Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians.

Personal life

Holtam is married to Helen (née Harris), a mathematics teacher, and they have four adult children.

Honours

In 2005 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Durham University and made a Fellow of King's College London.

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