Rob Gillion

Alan Robert Gillion (born 7 September 1951 ) is a British Anglican bishop and former actor. From 2014 to 2018 he was the Bishop of Riverina in the Anglican Church of Australia.

Early life Gillion was born in Norfolk to clergy parents and was educated at Norwich School. He trained in acting at the University of London and then worked as an actor and theatre director for 12 years, participating in a variety of stage shows including cabaret, repertory and Shakespeare productions, prior to retraining for ministry at the age of 32.

Ordained ministry Gillion trained for ministry at Salisbury and Wells Theological College and was ordained Church of England: made deacon at Petertide 1983 (26 June) and ordained priest the following Petertide (1 July 1984) — both times by Maurice Wood, Bishop of Norwich, at Norwich Cathedral. His early ministry saw him serve in the Diocese of Southwark He was also the diocese's head of religious broadcasting. and also served as chaplain at Harrods.

Episcopal ministry In April 2014, Gillion was elected Bishop of Riverina in the Province of New South Wales in the Anglican Church of Australia after a representative of the diocese saw him preach at St Paul's Cathedral, London (which was the only time he had ever preached there). He was consecrated and enthroned on 15 August 2014 at St Alban's Cathedral, Griffith. In working in Australia, Gillion followed in the footsteps of his grandfather who had worked as a priest in Broome and Derby in Western Australia during the 1920s.

During his time as Bishop of Riverina, Gillion performed a one-man stage show about faith to raise funds for a youth theatre project in the diocese. for an 18-month term.

On 19 August 2020, Gillion was licensed as priest-in-charge of Christ Church Streatham and an honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of Southwark; on 10 September he was commissioned as Associate Bishop for the Arts (in that diocese); and in 2021 the status of his parish post was changed to vicar. .

Bishop Rob retired from parochial duties in 2024. He now holds the honorary title of Chaplain to Lord Salisbury at Hatfield House.

Personal life Gillion is married to Janine and has two sons, one of whom is the marketing manager for the Australian Grand Prix.