York Minster will have a female Dean for the first time, it has been announced.

The Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, 57, is currently the Dean of Leicester Cathedral, where she has held the position since 2002.

Mrs Faull succeeds The Very Reverend Keith Jones, who retired in the spring.

She was welcomed to the Minster by Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu and acting dean the Reverend Canon Glyn Webster at a special gathering which included Minster staff and pupils of the Minster School.

She said: “It is so good to be here and to be able to talk openly about this appointment after weeks and months of waiting.”

She said Leicester Cathedral was one of the smallest and newest cathedrals and she looked forward at the Minster to having a large space to “uncover what God has to do for us and with us”.

“I think the main challenge to start with is to get to know how a much bigger institution works and one that is so loved not just by York, but across the province. This is a place that has a wonderful way of attracting people here and I want to know how to build on that and explain what we are about here in York.”

On being the first female dean of the Minster, she said she hoped it was positive. “There are four women deans currently, of which I am one, so the number remains the same. It is good being given the responsibility for a place which says something about women in the Church of England, that we are wanted as leaders of big institutions.”

Dr Sentamu, said: “The Dean brings with her a wealth of experience of cathedral life.... a deep trust in God and a love of all people.”

Mrs Faull whose husband is a hospital physician said she would continue as Dean of Leicester until September.

The Dean of York Minster carries overall responsibility for the work of the Minster, providing spiritual leadership and overseeing the business side of running the Dean and Chapter.

These duties involve everything from managing finances and human resources to presiding and preaching at services.