Ian Paton

Ian James Paton (born 1957) is a British Anglican bishop. Since 2018, he has been the Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane in the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Early life and education Ian Paton was born in 1957 in Liverpool, England. His father was born in Kingskettle in Fife and grew up in the Craigie, Perth. As a child, Paton had little interest in faith, and joined a choir at an Anglican church in Liverpool to avoid Sunday School. He studied history at Jesus College, Cambridge, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1978. He remained at the University of Cambridge to train as a teacher, completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in 1979. He was then Rector of St Anne's Church, Dunbar, East Lothian, from 1994 to 1997, before becoming Rector of Old Saint Paul's, Edinburgh.

In June 2018, it was announced that he had been elected Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane. He was consecrated and installed as bishop during a service at St Ninian's Cathedral, Perth on 20 October 2018. He is the lead bishop for environmental affairs within the SEC. He supports the ordination of women and the rights of LGBTQ people. Together they have one son.