Deputy Lieutenants

 

Deputy Lieutenants come from all walks of life and all parts of the County and are honoured for their contribution to the Nation and/or the County.

Deputy Lieutenants

The Eyes & Ears Of The Lieutenancy

There are a maximum of 70 other Deputy Lieutenant appointments. That may sound a lot but Kent has 1.7 million people- 25,000 per Deputy – and many villages and towns.

The Lord Lieutenant leads this influential network of Deputy Lieutenants and provides the organisation for their individual networks to interlock for the benefit of Kent’s varied communities.

Their local and specialist knowledge and experience is increasingly being used to positive effect in key sectors ranging from education to youth services, and from business to the rural economy.

They are the eyes and ears of the Lieutenancy in our local communities and liaise closely with the local authorities with whom we have much common cause.

They advise on events potentially warranting Royal visits, on how local people can put forward others suitable for honours or for invitations to Buckingham Palace Garden Parties, and on anniversaries warranting a message from The King.

They also advise on how community organisations can gain recognition in The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This award recognises the vital role played by the thousands of unsung heroes of the voluntary and community world which we in the Lieutenancy believe it is important to celebrate and encourage.

Listings

Deputy Lieutenants By Location

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Ashford

Sir George Jessel DL

Sir George Jessel DL

Link DL for Ashford

Born in Ashford.  Short Service Commission with the 15th/19th Hussars. Partner in Jessel Farms a fully diversified family estate. Past High Sheriff 2017/2018. Liveryman Worshipful Company of Farmers. Ambassador Chatham Historic Dockyard, Kent Ambassador, Patron Turner Contemporary, Life President KCAS, Fund Holder Kent Community Foundation.  Author ‘Finding Jesselton’ a family history published in 2017 and A Member of the Standing Council of the Baronetage (SCB).

Mrs Geraldine Allinson OBE DL

Mrs Geraldine Allinson OBE DL

Geraldine was born and brought up in Kent. She is a Non-Executive Director of the PA Media Group (parent company of the Press Association) and has had a long career in local media. During her time as Chair of the KM Group (2006-2019) she took an active role at the Newspaper Society (now the NMA) and was its President during 2011/12, only the second woman to ever take on the role. Geraldine also undertakes a number of voluntary roles in Kent including Patron of the Heart of Kent Hospice, Trustee of the Canterbury Cathedral Trust and Ambassador for the Historic Dockyard at Chatham.

Mrs Jane Ashton DL

Mrs Jane Ashton DL

Former teacher and school Chaplain (lay). High Sheriff of Kent 2018-2019. Jane is currently Chair of the Trustees of Huggens College (an almshouse in Northfleet) and Chair of the Employment Advisory Board at HMP Elmley. She is Patron of DAVSS (Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services) and Safer Communities Alliance.

Brigadier (Retd) Nick Baveystock OBE DL

Brigadier (Retd) Nick Baveystock OBE DL

After nearly 30 years in the Royal Engineers, Nick Baveystock then spent 11 years as the Director General of the Institution of Civil Engineers, a global charity with over 96,000 members, finishing in 2023. Nick is Non-Executive Chair of Mid Kent College Training Services, as well as a College Governor and a trustee of Rochester Cathedral Trust.

 Mr Michael Bax DL

Mr Michael Bax DL

Practicing land agent and widely involved in Kent’s rural economy with chairmanships and trusteeships in a number of related organisations. Past High Sheriff; Director BTF Partnership; Director Adonis Blue Environmental Consultancy; Chairman Weald of Kent Protection Society.

His Honour Judge Jeremy Carey DL

His Honour Judge Jeremy Carey DL

Practising barrister from 1974 to 2002. Now Resident Judge at Maidstone Crown Court and Honorary Recorder of Maidstone. Special interest in Kent Magistracy. Member of the Parole Board and visiting tutor-judge at the Judicial College, Warwick University.

Sir Stephen Deuchar CBE DL

Sir Stephen Deuchar CBE DL

Trustee of the Turner Contemporary gallery in Margate and a Trustee of the arts organization Creative Folkestone. He was founding Director of Tate Britain for twelve years from 1998, before becoming Director of the Art Fund, the national charity for art. There he launched the National Art Pass and several new grant schemes to support museum collections and their curators across the UK. In 2020 he led the fundraising appeal to save Derek Jarman’s Prospect Cottage, Dungeness, for the nation.

Mrs Kate Fenwick DL

Mrs Kate Fenwick DL

Chair of Rochester Cathedral Trust. Raises funds for mental health in the County through Kent Minds.  Governor of Wellesley Haddon Dean School, Broadstairs.  Advisory Council for The Sheriffs and Recorder’s fund supporting prison leavers.

Mrs Jane Loudon DL

Mrs Jane Loudon DL

Former schools governor including a free school. Former Trustee of Avante Partnership, providing specialist care homes for dementia. Former Trustee of Huggens College Almshouses, Northfleet. Trustee Stour Music Festival. Patron of Kent Minds. 

Nicholas Marden Esq LVO DL

Nicholas Marden Esq LVO DL

After a sort Service Commission in the Army, he worked in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as a diplomat from 1974 to 2011.  He was then appointed Private Secretary to HRH The Duke of Kent, during which time he worked with a number of national charities.  He retired in 2018.

Her Honour Adèle Williams DL

Her Honour Adèle Williams DL

Adèle Williams has lived and worked in Kent for 45 years. She practised as a barrister in courts in London and Kent. In 2000, she was appointed to sit as a Circuit Judge in Kent. From 2008-2016, she was Resident Judge at Canterbury Crown Court. She retired in 2020.

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Canterbury

Mr Stephen Kingsman DL

Mr Stephen Kingsman DL

Link DL for Canterbury

Former Chairman of the Denne Construction Group. Served as Chairman of the Kent T.E.C., Canterbury F.E. College and Non Executive Director of other business and vocational training organisations. Kent Ambassador and enthusiastic supporter of Kent-based charities.

Paul Barrett Esq MBE DL

Paul Barrett Esq MBE DL

Paul was born and brought up in Kent. He is Chairman of the family-owned motor retail business which has been established over 120 years. Paul served as High Sheriff of Kent from 2019-2020. He is a Freeman of the City of Canterbury and an Ambassador of the Kent Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Charity. Paul is Deputy Chair of the Kent Ambassadors a member of the Kent & Medway Business Advisory Board and is involved with HMP Swaleside’s Employment Advisory Board. Paul is a Patron of Porchlight, Kent’s largest charity for homeless and vulnerable people.

Colonel Jane Carey-Harris TD DL VR

Colonel Jane Carey-Harris TD DL VR

Jane trained as a nurse at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London and retired after a forty year career in the NHS. Commanded a national medical unit in the Army Reserves. Appointed the Territorial Army’s Queen’s Honorary Nurse in 2012. Active member of the RBL (Canterbury) and the South East RFCA. Jane is a Trustee to St John’s and St Nicholas’ Almshouses, Canterbury. Jane is a Liveryman in the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries and Upper Warden in The Worshipful Company of Nurses, due to become Master in 2024.

Mr Desmond Crampton DL

Mr Desmond Crampton DL

Retired from a ports and harbours company whose assets included the River Medway. Served on several county economic development bodies. Founded Lorenden Preparatory School and helped establish the Isle of Sheppey Academy. A Vice President of Demelza Hospice Care for Children after more than a decade as a trustee including six years as chairman. A non-executive company director.

Air Marshal (Retd) Christopher Nickols CB CBE DL

Air Marshal (Retd) Christopher Nickols CB CBE DL

Chris Nickols was born and brought up in Kent. After a full career in the RAF, starting as a fast-jet pilot and finishing as Chief of Defence Intelligence, he moved into the charity world as Controller (Chief Executive) of the RAF Benevolent Fund for 4 years. He is now Chairman of the Governors of St Edmund’s School Canterbury, President of Kent Wing of the Air Cadets and a volunteer at Canterbury Cathedral.

Professor Rama Thirunamachandran OBE DL

Professor Rama Thirunamachandran OBE DL

As Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rama Thirunamachandran is the academic lead and chief executive of Canterbury Christ Church University. He joined the University in October 2013 and has led the institution forward in a number of areas including the establishment of the School of Engineering, Technology and Design and the joint Kent and Medway Medical School. Rama was Chair of the Higher Education Academy between 2015 and 2018 and was also a Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Board member between 2010 and 2013. Rama has been a member of the Universities UK Board since 2017. He has also recently served as a Non-Executive Director of the Medway NHS Foundation Trust, and as Chair of MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities.

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Dartford

Mr Kelvin R Holford DL

Mr Kelvin R Holford DL

Link DL for Dartford

County Commissioner for Kent Scouts since 2002. Involved with Scouting in Kent for more than 30 years, working as a leader with six to 25-year-olds. Outside scouting, a project manager in the construction industry.

 The Reverend Martin Henwood MA DL

The Reverend Martin Henwood MA DL

Vicar of Holy Trinity, Dartford since 1993 and an exponent of the mystical wisdom tradition found in all faiths. Previously Chair of Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Primary Care Trust.  Martin has also led on various community initiatives, including the restoration of Gravesend Old Town Hall, the Partition of India with the BBC, and is currently collaborating with a course to help people safely understand how power works.

Mr Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL

Mr Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL

Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus and CEO of the KECC (Kent Equality Cohesion Council). With over 20 years’ experience in the sector, he works extensively across Kent in partnership with both voluntary and statutory sectors to promote community cohesion, engagement with diverse communities, eliminate discrimination and tackle inequalities.   Cohesion Plus was formed in 2008 to compliment the work he was already doing around equality and diversity.  He has a long record of working with key public sector partners from local district councils, to parish councils to county councils, Kent Police, schools, universities and health service providers around diversity and community engagement.  He is passionate about diversity and inclusion within the arts sector and champions increased visibility for ethnic minority artists and organisations.  He is also a Kent Ambassador as well as a Non-Executive of the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board.

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Dover

Lord Northbourne DL

Lord Northbourne DL

Link DL for Dover

Lord Northbourne runs the family farming businesses. He is a Knight of the Order of Malta. School finance governor at the Sandwich Technology College. Previous director of the Canterbury Festival and member of the Kent Committee of the Country Landowners’ Association.

Mr James Ryeland DL

Mr James Ryeland DL

Chartered Shipbroker, working in Dover for his family’s long established shipping business George Hammond Marine Ltd.  In addition to being a Kent Ambassador, he represents Belgium, Finland, France, Denmark, The Netherlands and Sweden as their Honorary Consul in Kent.  He is Chairman of the Dover Port Users Group and Vice-Chairman of Governors of Dover College.

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Folkestone and Hythe

Mr Geoff Miles DL

Mr Geoff Miles DL

Link DL for Folkestone and Hythe

Has been working in television for over 40 years. In 2002, he formed Dovedale Associates Ltd a consortium of local businessmen who now own and operate the Vinters Business Park and Maidstone Television Studios. He is Chairman of Kent Music and Chairman of the Kent Ambassadors.

Major (Retd) Dennis Bradley BEM DL

Major (Retd) Dennis Bradley BEM DL

Served in the Grenadier Guards. Past Mayor of Hythe, President of East Kent Branch Grenadier Guards Association. President and Director of Hythe Festival Company, involved in a wide range of Military charities.

Mrs Tracy Luke MBE DL

Mrs Tracy Luke MBE DL

Served for 35 years in education, including as Headteacher of two local secondary schools.  Currently Member, Trustee and local Governor of a number of local schools.

Mr Ben Moorhead DL

Mr Ben Moorhead DL

Ben Moorhead was raised in Kent and was a Solicitor in the City of London from 1981 to 2022.  He carried out the legal work to create UK Sport, Sport England, The Sports Council Trust Company, The National Sports Medicine Institute, The King’s College Anti-Doping structure, and the first British online lottery, the Premiership Lotter-e. In the last two years he has been a Director of British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS), Director of British Blind Sport, Chairman of England Karate, Trustee of Regain – The Trust for Sports Tetraplegics, Director of The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) and Board Member of Kent County Cricket Club (KCCC) and Board Lead for Safeguarding at Kent Cricket; and Chairman of Trustees of The Mountbatten Memorial Trust, Trustee of The Canterbury Cathedral Trust; Trustee of The Arts Society – a national arts education charity; a Trustee of The Creative Dimension Trust (arts education for 14 -18 year olds from deprived areas); a National Trustee of L’Arche UK (a national charity building homes for and providing care for the mentally impaired); a Vice Patron of Kent Autistic Trust; Chairman of CPRE Kent; a governor of The King’s School Canterbury, Junior King’s and Wellesley House School (former chair); Advisory Board Member of St Mary’s University, London; Chairman of The Wye Future Group (Environmental); Finance Committee Member of The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. Former Trustee of The Scottish Wildcat Association, helping to conserve a very rare species, and former Kent Committee Member of Fairbridge Kent/The Prince’s Trust. Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts.

Mrs Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL

Mrs Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL

Susie Warran-Smith CBE DL founded the Breakthrough Funding company which she sold to Ernst & Young in 2020. She is currently a Non-Executive Main Board Director at HM Revenue & Customs.

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Gravesham

Dr Bhargawa Vasudaven DL

Dr Bhargawa Vasudaven DL

Link DL for Gravesham

A retired GP who has worked in Gravesend for over 25 years. Retired Fellow of The Royal Society of Medicine and a former CEO of the Walk in Centre in Northfleet. Retired Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and one of the  Founder Members of their Pre-Hospital Care Faculty. He has had a parallel career in volunteering over the years, serving as a medical advisor to the Kent Air Ambulance for 15 years, Gravesend RNLI station for 9 years, trustee of Ellenor Hospice for over 5 years and continues since the Pandemic as the Medical Advisor to Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund involved in suicide prevention and direct access to counselling for 13-18 year olds in Gravesham. He is also serving as one of the trustees of Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust supporting Kent Communities.

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Maidstone

Mrs Victoria Wallace DL

Mrs Victoria Wallace DL

Link DL for Maidstone

After 15 years with the Diplomatic Service, Victoria was the Chief Executive of Leeds Castle and the Director General of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  She now consults on heritage and cultural developments, and is a Lay Chapter member and Trustee of Rochester Cathedral and Trust.

Mrs Marian Boswall DL

Mrs Marian Boswall DL

A leading landscape architect and environmentalist specialising in Regenerative landscape design and author of bestseller ‘Sustainable Garden’. Previously a management consultant, lecturer at Greenwich University, Trustee of the Blackthorn Trust and Director of the British Association of Landscape Industries, Marian is a Fellow of the Landscape Institute and regularly appears in the press and social media speaking about Sustainable Design and Kindness.

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Medway

Brigadier Peter Gilbert QVRM TD DL VR

Brigadier Peter Gilbert QVRM TD DL VR

Link DL for Medway

Having served in the Regular Army during the 1980s he has lived in Medway since 1990 and combined being a GP in Rochester with parallel careers in the Army Reserve and later the RAF Reserve. He served in Germany, Iraq, the Falkland Islands (twice) and in Afghanistan, where he commanded the UK Hospital in Camp Bastion in 2009. He became Deputy Director of Army Medical Services in which role he was also a Queen’s Honorary Physician. He is Honorary Colonel of Kent Army Cader Force and Chairman of the Southeast Reserves Forces and Cadets Association. He holds positions in several charities in the County including the Hospital of Sir John Hawkins, the Army Benevolent Fund, and the Royal Army Medical Corps Association.

Ms Judith Armitt DL

Ms Judith Armitt DL

Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Canterbury Christ Church University, a trustee of Leeds Castle, an Honorary Lay Canon and Chair of the Audit committee of Rochester Cathedral and a trustee of the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence. Her earlier career was mainly in the public sector including nine years as Chief Executive of Medway Council and three as Managing Director of Ashford’s Future. Her final role before retirement was Chief Executive of Local Partnerships LLP, a joint venture between HM Treasury and the Local Government Association. She is a Reader with her local parish, and enjoys orienteering and singing.

Colonel (ACF) Chris Gilbert DL

Colonel (ACF) Chris Gilbert DL

Chris is an Operations Manager for a nonferrous metal refinery and has held prominent positions within Kent Army Cadet Force. He also spends time as a Co-opted Governor at a large community primary school.

The Very Revd. Dr Philip Hesketh AKC DL

The Very Revd. Dr Philip Hesketh AKC DL

Philip is the Dean of Rochester, a Trustee of a number of Kent Charities, Vice Chair of King’s School Rochester and a Kent Ambassador.

Mr Jools Holland OBE DL

Mr Jools Holland OBE DL

Musician, broadcaster and world touring Big Band leader, he hosts BBC 2’s music programme Later with Jools Holland and Annual Hootenanny. Appointed OBE in 2004 for his services to music. Keen on the preservation and prosperity of Kent.

Professor Anan Shetty DL

Professor Anan Shetty DL

Anan is an Emeritus Professor of Orthopaedics and Stem Cell Research at the Canterbury Christ Church University. Prior to this he was a consultant in knee and Limb Reconstruction Surgery at the King’s College hospital, London, where he led some of the world class research and innovation in fracture treatment. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FRCS Eng), Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, London (FRSM). Since his arrival in UK from India in 1985, he has lived most of life in the Medway towns and was instrumental in delivering the frontline orthopaedic and trauma care.

Brigadier Andrew Wood TD DL VR

Brigadier Andrew Wood TD DL VR

Andrew was born and raised in Kent.  His career has been primarily in the defence sector, beginning as an apprentice engineer at Marconi Avionics.  He has served over 40 years in the Regular and Reserve Forces, initially as a Bomb Disposal Operator, seeing active service in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, and concluding as the Deputy Director of the Land Warfare Centre. He is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Ripple Pond – a charity supporting adult family members of physically or psychologically injured Armed Forces personnel and veterans.  He is also Chair of the Kent committee of the South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association. He is a member of the Royal College of Defence Studies (rcds), a Fellow of the Institution of Royal Engineers (FInstRE) and a freeman of the City of London.

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Sevenoaks

The Lord Sackville DL

The Lord Sackville DL

Link DL for Sevenoaks

Robert Sackville-West spent most of his career in publishing, creating illustrated books for an international market. He is executive chairman of Knole Estates, the property and investment company which – in parallel with the National Trust – cares for Knole, the house and park in Kent that are open to the public. He also chairs the Kent Community Foundation, which distributes around £4 million a year to some 800 community-based charities. Robert has been involved with education in both the private and state sector, as a governor at Sevenoaks School and Knole Academy, and as a former UK board director of the International Baccalaureate. He has written several critically acclaimed books on aspects of English history, including Inheritance: the Story of Knole and the Sackvilles(2010); and The Searchers: The Quest for the Lost of the First World War (September 2021), which tackles the enduring impact on British society of the First World War. Robert has recently been appointed as a Commissioner of Historic England, the public body which looks after the country’s historic environment.

Mr Lennox Cato DL

Mr Lennox Cato DL

Lennox is an internationally recognised specialist in antique furniture and works of art, known for his work on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow. After moving to Kent in 1997, he became heavily involved in the local community becoming a Town Councillor and Chairman of the local Sports Association. Set up Edenbridge Cares, a networking platform for local charities, churches, schools and Town Councillors.

The Lord Colgrain DL

The Lord Colgrain DL

Alastair spent over thirty years specialising in Financial Services Executive Search in London. He is a working member of the House of Lords. He is Chairman of the Trustees of Belmont House and of Belmont Farms, Faversham. He is a past Governor of Sevenoaks School, a past Trustee of Rochester Cathedral and a Kent Ambassador. He was High Sheriff of Kent 2013-14.  He is a Partner in his family farming business.

The Lord Evans of Weardale KCB DL

The Lord Evans of Weardale KCB DL

Jonathan Evans was brought up in Kent and was educated at Sevenoaks School. After attending Bristol University he joined the Security Service, MI5, in 1980 and was Director General of MI5 from 2007-2013. He is Chair of the HALO Trust, a Trustee of the Skinners’ Charity Foundation, a Senior Fellow of the Westminster Abbey Institute and patron of several Kent organisations including Kent Search and Rescue and Sevenoaks School.

His Honour David Griffith-Jones KC DL

His Honour David Griffith-Jones KC DL

David practised as a barrister from 1975 until 2007, specialising in employment, industrial relations and, latterly, sport. After taking silk in 2000 he served as Chair of the ICC Drugs Appeal Tribunal and the LTA Appeals Committee and as an ACAS arbitrator. In 2007 he became a full time Circuit Judge, sitting at Maidstone where he served as the Resident Judge and Honorary Recorder from 2018 until he retired in 2022. He also sat as a Judicial member of the Parole Board and a part time member of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division.) He continues to sit occasionally as a judge of the First Tier Tribunal (Mental Health.) He retains a particular interest in the rehabilitation of offenders.

Mr Nicholas Hely-Hutchinson DL

Mr Nicholas Hely-Hutchinson DL

Nick has spent his entire career in the City of London, beginning at a stockbrokers, then as a private client and charity fund manager. Various Directorships and currently self-employed in the same sector. Former Trustee of Rochester Cathedral. Formulated a strategy to create the largest appeal for MS Research with his wife. His wife was the first Deputy Chairman of the STOP MS Appeal Board, standing down soon after the appeal went public. Nick’s great love is classical music, about which he presents a weekly podcast called a Perfect Pitch (perfectpitchpod.com). He sits on the Advisory Council of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Lady Newey DL

Lady Newey DL

Chartered Accountant; joined Citizens Advice in1999 as volunteer adviser, before becoming Manager of three local CABx; now CEO of Citizens Advice in North & West Kent, covering Dartford, Gravesham, Sevenoaks & Swanley, Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells. Governor and Chair of the Audit Committee of Canterbury Christ Church University.

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Swale

Mr Paul Auston DL

Mr Paul Auston DL

Link DL for Swale

Founder and Chairman of Checkmate Group, a safety and engineering company based in Kent. He has served as Trustee and then Chair of Demelza House, a children’s hospice based in Kent, Sussex and South East London for 6 years. On retiring he was elected honorary Vice President. He is a trustee of The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children’s Fund based in Portsmouth and also serves on the development group raising funds for the restoration of Canterbury Cathedral.

Hilary Edridge, Lady Melville DL

Hilary Edridge, Lady Melville DL

Hilary is Head of Campaigns and Philanthropy at the University of Kent and leads an ambitious fundraising campaign for the new joint Kent and Medway Medical School.  She has lived in Kent for 30+ years.  Her earlier career was in advertising and the NHS and subsequently held a range of roles in the University sector.   She is currently Chair of Porchlight, Kent’s Homeless Charity.

Miss Kate Lampard CBE DL

Miss Kate Lampard CBE DL

Practised as a barrister at Lincoln’s Inn from 1985-97. Formerly Chairman, Kent and Medway Strategic Health Authority.Voluntary and charitable work includes being a Trustee of the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, and a Governor of Tonbridge School.

Mr Jonathan Neame DL

Mr Jonathan Neame DL

Jonathan Neame was educated at Harrow School, Pembroke College Cambridge, The City University and Inns of Court School of Law.  He achieved 2.1 MA Cantab Classics; Diploma in Legal Education and is a Barrister at Law. After qualifying as a Barrister he joined the COBA Group, London specialists in mergers and acquisitions work, as a Strategic Consultant. Jonathan joined Shepherd Neame in 1991 as Company Secretary.  In 1999 he became Managing Director and Chief Executive in 2003 until today. He was Chairman of the British Beer and Pub Association from 2012 to 2015 and a Non-Executive Director of the St Austell Brewery Company Ltd from 2002 until May 2018. He was Master of the Worshipful Company of Brewers in 2022-2023. He is currently the Vice President of the Brewers of Europe. He was a Chairman of Visit Kent from 2015 till 2020 and a Chairman a Trustee of the Leeds Castle Foundation from 2011 to 2022. He is High Sheriff-in-Nomination (Kent) for 2025-26. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Kent in 2016. Jonathan is married to Lucie and they have one daughter, Violette. His interests include cricket, real tennis, skiing, country pursuits, walking and cycling.

Mr Richard Oldfield OBE DL

Mr Richard Oldfield OBE DL

Retired investment manager. Trustee of the King’s Trust, Amber Foundation, Rochester Cathedral Trust, the Clore Duffield Foundation and the Christopher & Henry Oldfield Trust, and lay Chapter member and seneschal of Canterbury Cathedral. Chair, Shepherd Neame Ltd, and president of Demelza and of the Faversham Society Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Kent 2011-2020, and High Sheriff 2008-9.

Rt Hon Sir Hugh Robertson KCMG DL

Rt Hon Sir Hugh Robertson KCMG DL

Hugh is the Chair of Birmingham International Airport, the British Olympic Association, a member of The International Olympic Committee and an Independent Non Executive at Deloitte. He was previously the Chair of Camelot, the operator of The National Lottery, from 2018 – 2023. He was the Minister in charge of London 2012, the Minister of State at the Foreign Office and a Kent MP from 2001 – 15. Prior to that, he worked at Schroders and as an army officer, seeing active service in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, The Gulf War and Sarajevo during the siege of the city. He is a Gentleman at Arms and was on duty at both the Funeral of the late HM Queen Elizabeth and the Coronation of HM King Charles. He was both born and raised in Kent. 

Mr Tim Steel DL

Mr Tim Steel DL

Chairman, Committed Capital Limited, a venture capital business investing in UK technology companies.

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Thanet

Mr Frank Martin DL

Mr Frank Martin DL

Link DL for Thanet

Frank is currently Director Locomotive Storage Ltd. – creating the 1:1 Collection  Railway Museum in Margate. Trustee Royal British Legion Industries.  A Kent Charity Mentor. Board Member Thanet Regeneration Partnership Board.

He was formerly Chief Executive of Hornby Plc, Deputy Chair Dover Harbour Board, Chairman of Governors and Pro Chancellor – Canterbury Christ Church University.

Mr Clive Stevens DL

Mr Clive Stevens DL

A Chartered Accountant. Clive’s interests encompass the Arts and creative sector, education, business leadership and philately.

He is Chairman at The Frameworks – a creative, digital and branding agency. A Governor and Deputy Pro-Chancellor at Canterbury Christ Church University, chairing the University’s Finance and Resources Committee. He is a Kent Ambassador. A freeman of the Chartered Accountants Livery Company.

He was formerly a trustee and Chair at Turner Contemporary and a director at Locate in Kent. He was also the Managing Partner and Chairman at Kreston Reeves Chartered Accountants until 2018 when he retired from the firm.

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Tonbridge & Malling

Mrs Louise Bryant JP DL

Mrs Louise Bryant JP DL

Link DL for Tonbridge & Malling

Magistrate for over 30 years and former member of the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee and a former Bench Chairman, currently Chair of the South East Regional Conduct Advisory Committee for magistrates.  Qualified as Chartered Accountant and Barrister after reading Portuguese at Oxford University.  Distinction in MSc in Voluntary Sector Management, ICAEW diploma in Charity Accounting. Chair of Trustees of Citizens Advice in North and West Kent.  Charity mentor for Kent and Medway Charity Mentors. 

Mrs Nadra Ahmed CBE DL

Mrs Nadra Ahmed CBE DL

Chairman of National Care Association, Vice Chairman of Skills for Care and Vice President of the Kent Care Homes Association. For her services to social care she was made CBE in the 2023 New Year Honours.

Miss Joanne Holmes MVO DL

Miss Joanne Holmes MVO DL

Joanne joined Kent County Council in 2003 and worked for the Chairman of the Council before moving to the Lieutenancy Office in 2004.  As Deputy Clerk she assists the Lord-Lieutenant in all matters relating to the running of the Lieutenancy office.  She supports a number of military charities including The Royal British Legion Industries and the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust.

Mrs Marion Regan MBE DL

Mrs Marion Regan MBE DL

Farmer and fruit grower from Mereworth. Director of the growers’ co-operative Berry Gardens, Produced in Kent, and the Horticultural Development Company, and Trustee of East Malling Trust. STEM Ambassador for Kent schools.

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Tunbridge Wells

Mrs Georgie Warner DL

Mrs Georgie Warner DL

Link DL for Tunbridge Wells

High Sheriff of Kent 2011-12. Trustee of Kent Community Foundation, Trustee of Rochester Cathedral Trust, Kent Ambassador and Patron of Hadlow College.

Mr Tim Bull DL

Mr Tim Bull DL

Tim chairs the Kent Community Foundation and runs The Brook Trust. Formerly a director of the Saga Group, he now focuses on philanthropy and impact investing.

Nicholas Fisher Esq DL

Nicholas Fisher Esq DL

Nicholas was brought up in Kent and has lived in the County for over 40 years. He is a practising solicitor and has spent most of his career in private practice in the City of London. He chairs the Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust, a significant grant making charity that has supported Kent’s communities since 1969.

Sir Keith Mills GBE DL

Sir Keith Mills GBE DL

A marketing entrepreneur and businessman having founded the Air Miles and Nectar customer loyalty programmes.  Was Deputy Chairman of the London Olympic Games, Chairman of The Royal Foundation, the Invictus Games Foundation and Camelot.

Mrs Melissa Murdoch DL

Mrs Melissa Murdoch DL

Melissa began her career in international development, working on law and democracy projects in Cambodia and economic empowerment of women in Peru through microcredit. Now she spends the majority of her time investing in impactful businesses.  She is a Trustee of The Garfield Weston Foundation, Reta Lila Howard Foundation, Kent Community Foundation, and Sevenoaks School Foundation.

Networks & Sectors

Lieutenancy Link Deputy Lieutenants

Much progress is being made in developing other important networks covering more than 20 sectors, such as the rural economy, education, the arts, youth and sport, with a lead Deputy Lieutenant being appointed for each sector.

To get in touch with the appropriate Link Deputy Lieutenant please contact the office.