The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, has appointed a new chaplain.

Dr Jo Bailey Wells will take care of spiritual life at the Archbishop's official residence, Lambeth Palace, and support his pastoral and liturgical ministry.

Speaking about her new position, Dr Wells said she was "honoured and delighted" to join the Lambeth staff as the Archbishop "takes on a heavy but exciting mantel".

"I look forward to supporting him personally and pastorally - above all by praying for his flourishing in that role - and so to facilitating the wider flourishing of God's people in God's church," she said.

Dr Wells was ordained in 1995 and has served in Cambridge, in the US and in South Sudan.

Her ministry has focused on nurturing faith, mentoring vocations teaching Old Testament, and training leadership.

Previous positions include Dean of Clare College Cambridge and most recently Director of the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies at Duke Divinity School in North Carolina.

She holds degrees from Cambridge, Minnesota and Durham, and is the author of "God's Holy People" and "Isaiah: A Devotional Commentary for Study and Preaching".

Archbishop Welby said: "Jo is an outstanding speaker, scholar and pastor, with a very wide experience of the Anglican world. I am delighted that she has been agreed to come and work with me at Lambeth."