Mr Delbert Sandiford, 58, has been appointed Executive Officer for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns in Southwark Diocese. He will take up the post on 10 September.

The appointment follows a review of institutional racism in the structures of the Diocese, led by the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE). Its report recommended that the Diocese's work with and for minority ethnic people should be revamped and strengthened. Mr Sandiford will work to the new Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns committee, chaired by the Bishop of Southwark, with links directly to the Bishop's Council and Diocesan Synod.

The Bishop, the Rt Rev Dr Tom Butler, comments: "We have found a highly qualified race relations adviser in Delbert Sandiford, and the Diocese will benefit enormously from his experience and special skills. I am determined to provide people from minority ethnic backgrounds with a proper role in our structures and in the ranks of our clergy."

Delbert Sandiford was born and grew up in Barbados but came to the UK in 1967. He has held senior posts with the CRE, Home Office and Prison Service, and the Office of the Rail Regulator. He has a Masters degree in economics, an MBA from City University Business School, and a Diploma in Human Resources Management. His church involvement has been with the Cathedral and Abbey Church at St Albans.

Mr Sandiford says: "The Diocese of Southwark has shown great commitment in making racial equality a priority for the parishes that it serves, and in providing the means to make that commitment real. I am delighted with my appointment, and I am looking forward to working with the Bishops, the clergy, the Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns Committee and the parishes in taking forward this challenging brief."

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