Sarah Mullally has been appointed the new archbishop of Canterbury, the first time a woman has been named leader of the Church of England in the 1400-year history of the role. Sarah Mullally has been appointed the new archbishop of Canterbury. Credit: APBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the appointment of Mullally to the role and wished her success. “The Church of England is of profound importance to this country,” Starmer said. The archbishop of Canterbury will play a key role in our national life.”