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Dame Sarah Mullally has been appointed as the pioneering woman head of the Church of England, with official sources revealing the top cleric of Canterbury shortly after a year since the departure of Justin Welby amid controversy regarding safeguarding issues.

This represents the inaugural instance an top bishop of Canterbury has been selected since the Church of England allowed women to become bishops in 2014.

The leader is seen as the spiritual leader of the Anglican church all over the world and additionally holds a position in the upper parliamentary chamber.

The York’s archbishop Stephen Cottrell took on most of the responsibilities during the transition period, and was among the decision-makers of the body charged with choosing Welby’s successor.

The selection body had to agree to the new appointment by a two-thirds majority vote. Following approval, in line with tradition, the steps entail presenting a nominee to the prime minister – in this case Keir Starmer and then passed to the monarch.

She will not officially begin the role until a electoral confirmation in January, with an induction rite scheduled afterward, after they have paid homage to the king.