Krish, who attends the Baptist Union-affiliated Cornernstone Church in Thame,  joins LST from the Evangelical Alliance where he has served since 2007.

He becomes the latest in a number of distinguished Christian leaders to take up the post, including most recently former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey.

It is a reshaped role: while previously largely outward facing, Krish will be responsible for the overall academic and spiritual leadership of LST. He will play an active role in the day-to-day life of the school, as a member of the teaching staff and as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, working alongside LST’s Executive Director Laura Nairn, who is responsible for the overall management of the college. The college no longer has a traditional principal. A key objective will be to promote the value of theological education across the wider evangelical world.

At the Evangelical Alliance Krish has been involved in championing some of the organisation's most high profile initiatives, including Biblefresh Confidence in the Gospel and Home for Good. He will remain part-time director of Home for Good as it becomes its own organisation.

Krish said: 'I count it an incredible privilege to join the team at LST, a college which has helped shape so much of the evangelical landscape in the UK and beyond. As I travel I have found a genuine hunger for theology across the world as Christians want to go beyond simplistic answers and superficiality and instead get to know the glory and majesty of God.

'With huge advances in digital technology I am excited to be leading a theological college that brings world-class scholarship and a passion for innovation. Our aim is to make quality theological education more widely available than ever. I am looking forward to helping Christians develop a richer and deeper understanding of our faith so we are better able to share it with bold humility.

'The future of theological education is being delivered at LST with new initiatives like the Masters in Integrative Theology, and I’m excited at the possibilities that lie ahead. I have loved being on the leadership team at the Evangelical Alliance over the past few years and have been privileged to play a part in serving the Church across the UK. As I move on, I’m looking forward to maintaining close working relationships between LST and the Alliance.”

Grant Masom, Chair of the LST Board, welcomed the appointment, 'This is an important step forward for the London School of Theology (LST). As the leading and largest interdenominational evangelical theological college in Europe, LST is at the forefront of delivering transforming theological education. Krish brings a wealth of experience, a fresh outlook and incredible energy, which we are sure will benefit LST students, staff and faculty, and through them the wider Christian world.'

Steve Clifford, general director of the Evangelical Alliance, said, 'We are delighted for Krish and excited for him as he takes up this fantastic position at one of our member organisations.

'Strong links already exist between LST and the Alliance, with myself and my two predecessors Joel Edwards and Clive Calver having been trained there. This is not goodbye. In fact, we look forward to forging even closer relationships in the coming years.'