Russell Rook, Baron Rook
British Anglican priest
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Russell David Rook, Baron Rook, OBE, (born June 1972)[1] is a British Anglican priest and life peer.
The Lord Rook | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2025 | |
| Member of the House of Lords | |
| Life peerage 20 January 2025 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Russell David Rook June 1972 (age 53) |
| Party | Labour |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | The Portsmouth Grammar School |
| Alma mater | Royal College of Music (BMus) King's College London (MA) University of St Andrews (PhD) |
Early life
Russell was educated at the Portsmouth Grammar School and spent his gap year after graduation working for The Salvation Army.[2] He then studied at the Royal College of Music and King's College London before completing his PhD at the University of St Andrews.[3]
Career
Rook is a partner in the Good Faith Partnership and has been involved with various charities.[4] He served as a Parliamentary aide to Maeve Sherlock, and was an adviser on faith and civil society to Ed Miliband when he was Leader of the Opposition.[5] In 2022, he was ordained a priest in the Church of England, and appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to social action.[4][6]
In late 2024, Rook was nominated for a life peerage by Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the Labour Party.[7][8] He was created Baron Rook, of Wimbledon in the London Borough of Merton, on 20 January 2025,[9] and was introduced to the House of Lords on 23 January.[10]
Personal life
Rook is married to Charlotte Eksteen, a professional cellist. They have two sons.[11]
