The Venerable Nick Baines, the new suffragan bishop for Croydon, is looking forward to the challenge of a new area and a new home in Stanhope Road, writes Dan Menhinnitt.

Ven Baines, who has been married for 23 years and has three children, is looking forward to the next stage of his career when he will become the Right Reverend Bishop of Croydon, succeeding the Right Reverend Wilfred Wood, who retired last year.

He said: "It's a big challenge moving to a new area, but I'm looking forward to it. Croydon is a very diverse place."

His catchment area will include the borough of Croydon with more than 330,000 residents as well as parts of Sutton, Reigate and rural parishes near Gatwick.

During his time as Archdeacon of Lambeth, Ven Baines has been a regular contributor to BBC Radio 2's Pause for Thought, reflecting on issues like the war in Iraq. In September, St Andrew's Press will be publishing a book based on his thoughts.

Ven Baines explained what he felt the church stood for. He said: "The church is called to be a sign of the kingdom of God. We act as a touching place for people."

The 45-year-old grew up in Liverpool before specialising in modern languages at university and then used his language skills as a professional linguist for the British intelligence services in Cheltenham.

It was while completing youth work for a church in Cheltenham that he decided to enter theological college.

He added: "I didn't have a blinding flash like some other people do, it was more of a slow growing sense that this was the right path."

With a wife and two young children, the financial consequences meant that it was not an easy decision to make, but Ven Baines said he had no regrets.

He will be consecrated on May 11 at St Paul's Cathedral.