Introduction
David John Ison (born 15 September 1954) is a Church of England priest. Since 2012, he has been the Dean of St Paul's in the Diocese of London.
Early life and education
David Ison, son of Richard Lea Ison, was educated at the University of Leicester (BA 1976), the University of Nottingham (BA 1978) and St John's College, Nottingham (Diploma of Biblical Studies 1979). He undertook further studies in church history at King's College London where his 1984 PhD was entitled "The Constantinian Oration to the saints : authorship and background".
Ordained ministry
Ison was ordained as a priest in 1980. He began his ordained ministry as a curate at St Nicholas and St Luke's Deptford. From 1985 to 1988 he was a tutor at the Church Army Training College before being appointed vicar of St Philip's Potters Green in the West Midlands until 1993. Later, he was the officer for Continuing Ministerial Education in the Diocese of Exeter. He is a supporter of same-sex marriage.
Ison became Dean of Bradford in September 2005. On 6 March 2012, it was announced that he was to become the next Dean of St Paul's Cathedral from 25 May 2012, succeeding Graeme Knowles, which he did by Letters Patent dated 11 May 2012 granting him "the Deanery of Her Majesty’s Cathedral Church of St Paul in London".
On 5 June 2012, Ison led the prayers at the service of thanksgiving marking the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
Personal life
In 1977, Ison married Hilary Margaret Powell. Hilary is also ordained in the church of England. They have two sons and two daughters.
David Ison has a twin brother, Keith Ison, who is Head of Medical Physics at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and a past president of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine.