Eight new Deputy Lieutenants have been commissioned under oath, in honour of their service to the community in Leicestershire.
Among them are three Pro Chancellors of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU): Professor David Wilson, Mike Kapur and Sally Bowie. Riaz Ravat BEM, DMU alumnus of the Year 2013, was also among those to receive the honour.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Lady Gretton, said: “The Lieutenancy has enjoyed longstanding links with the uniformed services and with local community and voluntary organisations of Leicester and Leicestershire.
“These links are further enhanced following the appointments of these very deserving candidates."
The new Deputy Lieutenants were appointed during a special ceremony at County Hall. The others were: England cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew, broadcaster Dave Andrews, police officer David Lindley QPM and Elisabeth Turnbull.
Professor David Wilson, until recently Deputy Vice-Chancellor at DMU, commented: "I am really looking forward to serving people across both city and county in this new role".
Leading Leicestershire businessman Mr Kapur, who is deputy chair of DMU’s Board of Governors, said: “I’m delighted to have been made a Deputy Lieutenant and I feel very privileged to be considered amongst such esteemed current and past holders of this historic office.”
Sally Bowie, herself a former High Sheriff of Leicestershire, is also on the board of governors at the university. She said: “it is a honour to have been appointed a Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire and I look forward to supporting The Lord-Lieutenant for many years to come. "
Riaz, who is Deputy Director of St Philip’s Centre, runs a wide range of interfaith initiatives to promote understanding between faiths. He said he was “delighted and honoured” to be appointed.
The Lord-Lieutenant is the official representative of Her Majesty The Queen for the County and City of Leicester. The office of Lord-Lieutenant can be traced back to the mid-16th century.
It has evolved since the days of raising local militia and today, through the appointments of Deputy Lieutenants, represents the diverse communities of Leicester and Leicestershire.
Deputy Lieutenants undertake a wide range of duties and engagements, including representing the Lord-Lieutenant and taking place in citizenship ceremonies, attending remembrance services and parades and helping judge nominations for awards and honours.
Posted on Friday 23 October 2015