Rev’d Alexander Randle-Bissell has been appointed as the new Plymouth City Dean (Missional Development Leader) for the Diocese of Exeter.
His newly-created role is a key part of Plymouth 2035, a bold, missional 10-year plan to see lives transformed by Jesus, churches reimagined, and communities transformed across the city.
Plymouth 2035 aims to help 2,035 people come to faith in Plymouth over the next decade and revitalise the Church in Devon’s largest urban centre. It also hopes to see 2035 adults and 2035 under 18s exploring Christian faith in the next 10 years and 35 new worshipping communities across the city.
It is part of the wider Diocese of Exeter Pray Grow Serve 2035 strategy for the whole of Devon, which was launched in January 2026.
Alex is presently Rector of the Pastrow Family of Churches in the Diocese of Winchester.
Alex Randle-Bissell will be overseeing the Plymouth 2035 project
The City Dean role was developed following a city-wide consultation about the city’s Anglican churches.
Alex, who is presently Rector of the Pastrow Family of Churches in the Diocese of Winchester, will be the strategic leader for Plymouth 2035, helping inspire churches to engage in the missional work of church growth.
He will also play a key part in recruiting a significant number of new clergy to the city.
Alex said, “We are excited about the ministry opportunities we will share together as a city.
“There is nothing more exciting than the gathering of God’s people, to encourage and pray for each other, and to praise His holy name as Saviour!”
The Archdeacon of Plymouth, the Venerable Jane Bakker, said, “I’m delighted to welcome Alex to Plymouth. He brings significant ministerial experience and a strategic focus to Plymouth 2035, our bold initiative to reimagine the church in our city.
“As City Dean, Alex will help shape collaborative ministry and encourage vibrant new worshipping communities. I’m excited to work with him as we share the hope and love of Jesus and build a future full of faith and possibility for Plymouth.”
Alex’s journey to faith began at an early age and was inspired by a painting.
There are about 40 Anglican churches in Plymouth
He said, “I remember distinctly being mesmerised by a solitary picture hanging, in the small village church where I grew up in Derbyshire, of Christ’s ‘praying hands’; so gentle and graceful that I have spent much of my time since wanting to follow the person whose hands they belonged to.”
Alex has worked in a number of various professions, including as a musician, working as a missionary in New York, and a Deputy Headteacher at a secondary school in Coventry.
He then trained for ordination at Queen’s Theological College in Birmingham.
Alex said, “I served my curacy at St Andrew’s in Coventry before being appointed as Rector of the Pastrow Family of Churches, leading them over the past ten years to being a single parish of eleven churches on the outskirts of Andover.”
Alex has been married for 30 years to his wife, Beverly. They have two children: Jacob, a Royal Marines Officer, and Brontë, a Physiotherapist – following in Beverly’s footsteps.
Alex said, “Beverly and I are looking forward to the journey ahead as we settle here in the great city of Plymouth.
“We spent our children’s formative years in Portsmouth, so we have a good grounding in coastal city life.”
Alex will move to Plymouth after Easter.
Subject to the completion of all legal formal formalities, he will be licensed by the Bishop of Exeter in a service on the 15 April at Emanuel Church, Plymouth, at 7pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend the service.