A long-standing Chorleywood vicar has received a prestigious promotion, working alongside the Bishop of Portsmouth in the south of England.

Canon Gavin Collins has been vicar of Christ Church for nine years, and rural dean of parishes in the Rickmansworth area since 2006.

On Monday it was announced that he will take up the position “Archdeacon of the Meon” working alongside the Bishop of Portsmouth.

One of three Archdeacons, he will take responsibility for Church of England parishes in and around the Meon Valley, including Gosport, Fareham, Bishop’s Waltham and Petersfield.

He said: “I’m very excited about this fresh challenge. My background is in a lively, evangelical church that is full of families, but being rural dean has given me a taste of working with parishes that are very different in character, and I’ve enjoyed that. It has inspired me to want to work at a new level.

“I’m looking forward to being in Portsmouth diocese and helping churches to grow and feel confident about the resources that God has given to them.”

Canon Collins will join the Caroline Baston, Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight, and Trevor Reader, the Archdeacon of Portsdown, as the bishop’s immediate senior colleagues.

Reverend Christopher Foster, Bishop of Portsmouth, said: “I’m delighted that Gavin has agreed to become the next Archdeacon of the Meon. I’m confident that he will care for the clergy and parishes in that area effectively, supporting and challenging them to move forward.”

He studied at Cambridge University and worked as a lawyer in London, specialising in bankruptcy and insolvency litigation.

Both his twin siblings are involved in the church, his brother, Simon is an elder in a Baptist church, and his sister, Caroline, is a Methodist local preacher.

Canon Collins lives with his wife Christina three children – Emily, 14, Susie, 12 and Harry, nine.

The 44-year-old is also an honorary canon of St Albans Cathedral.

Reverend Dr Alan Smith, The Bishop of St Albans, said: “I am sure Canon Gavin Collins will bring to the archdeaconry the same high level of flair, care and devotion as he has brought to his parish.

“He and Christina will be greatly missed in the Diocese of St Albans, but will be a great gift to the people of the Archdeaconry of the Meon.”