Biteback Publishing is to publish a biography of the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. The unauthorised biography, Headhunted by God, is written by James Macintyre and will tell the dramatic story of Welby’s life and the rise of the former city executive to the leadership of a 77-million-strong Anglican communion seeking to renew its relevance amid divisions over such issues as homosexuality and women priests. Publication is planned for September 2014.
Less is known about the old Etonian Welby than any other incoming Archbishop. He was an outsider who took many by surprise by winning the race to become the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. Once an oil executive in the City, he converted to the church and rose rapidly through its ranks. As a courageous peace negotiator while working in the oil industry, he risked his life at the hands of Nigerian rebels. He now faces a very different challenge, the greatest of his highly unusual life, seeking to unify and forge an Anglican Church fit for the 21st century. Welby has signified his determination to play a central role in public life by remaining on the parliamentary banking commission, which is playing a key role in devising new standards and regulation of the financial services industry. Welby has proved a staunch conservative on the issue of gay marriage; yet he has also brought his business experience to bear on the Commission’s task of reforming irresponsible capitalism and forestalling a repeat of the 2008 crash.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James Macintyre is co-author of the widely acclaimed biography Ed: The Milibands and the Making of a Labour Leader described by John Gray in The Guardian as: “Exhaustively researched and written with unflagging energy … may prove to be the definitive account of the formative years and rise to power.”
Macintyre is a former LWT producer of the Dimbleby programme and producer of BBC1’s Question Time as well as a reporter for The Independent, including as religious affairs correspondent. His first role in print journalism was writing about politics for The Tablet. Macintyre, himself a practicing Anglican and described by the Church of England Newspaper in 2012 as having a “hotline to Lambeth Palace” under Rowan Williams, has broken a number of religion exclusives over the years, including a landmark biographical profile of Rowan Williams for the New Statesman which was followed up by every national newspaper, including the front page of The Guardian.
For more information please contact
Suzanne.sangster@bitebackpublishing.com on 020 7091 1260