West London Synagogue has announced that Helen Freeman and David Mitchell will jointly fill the role of senior rabbi when Baroness Julia Neuberger retires at the end of March.

After an international search, the shul trustees decided that the rabbis, part of the  current in-house ministerial team, were the strongest candidates, having complementary skills and experience.

Rabbi Freeman has been a member of the West London rabbinate for 20 years; and Rabbi Mitchell for eight years.

Along with Rabbi Neil Janes, the Reform congregation's new ministerial team will be completed with the appointment next year of a new assistant rabbi, as Rabbi Sybil Sheridan retires from her post at the shul at the end of February.

West London chair Patrick Mocatta said: "The senior rabbi position attracted interest from across the globe. Ultimately, the committee was unanimous in choosing the candidates from our own team.
"They are an exceptional pair, with a synergy between them and an overlap of skills, experience and interests."

In a joint statement, rabbis Freeman and Mitchell said: “We are delighted beyond measure. We have a shared pride in West London Synagogue's distinguished 180-year history of building Progressive Jewish life in central London. Together, we will continue to build a caring, thoughtful, inclusive and inspirational congregation.”