ABOUT

 

The Lord-Lieutenant of Devon is His Majesty’s personal representative in the County, who is appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.

 

This role is non-political and unpaid and he or she is supported by a Vice Lord Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants appointed for their work in the County in a number of different fields. Administrative support is provided by the Clerk to the Lieutenancy which in most counties is the Chief Executive of the Local Authority.

 

The Lord-Lieutenant and his Lieutenancy team not only represent and uphold the dignity of the Crown and arrange Royal visits to the County, but it also celebrates the achievements of the people of Devon and their service to others.

 

The Lieutenancy helps to promote Devon communities, culture, services, heritage, business and charitable success while drawing attention to those addressing challenges and problems in the County. It also has a role in supporting the three Services and, in particular, the Reserve forces and cadets.

OUR ROLE

 

The work of the Lieutenancy involves:

 

  • Arranging visits of members of the Royal Family and escorting Royal visitors as appropriate
  • The presentation of medals and awards on behalf of His Majesty The King to celebrate the achievements of the people of Devon and their service to others. This includes Honours and Awards, The King’s Award for Enterprise and The King’s Award for Voluntary Service
  • Participation in civic and social activity within the county; this includes encouragement of a wide range of voluntary activity
  • Helping to promote Devon communities, culture, services, heritage, business and charitable success while drawing attention to those who make this happen and address challenges and problems in the county
  • Liaison with local units of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, including reserve forces and cadets
  • Leadership of the local magistracy via the Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace, in liaison with the Ministry of Justice

NOTE: The Lieutenancy cannot be involved in political matters or local arguments and controversies.

 

In addition to the above, the Lord-Lieutenant is asked to comment on the validity of nominations for honours and submits lists of names of those he recommends for invitations to His Majesty’s Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace.

 

The Lord-Lieutenant is also expected to promote a good atmosphere and spirit of co-operation by the encouragement he gives to voluntary service and benevolent organisations, and by the interest he takes in the business and social life of his county. He is also encouraged to take an interest in local projects funded from the National Lottery and should consider lending support to those which he feels to be of particular importance.

HM LORD-LIEUTENANT OF DEVON

 

DAVID FURSDON

 

David Fursdon and his family have lived in Devon for 46 years continuing a very long family tradition of living in the County. He is married with 3 children and 6 grandchildren.

He was commissioned into the 6th Gurkha Rifles, serving in Brunei and Hong Kong, before winning a Scholarship to Oxford where he won two cricket blues. He then joined the fast stream entry to the Civil Service, working in Arms Control in the MOD and on a UK delegation at a UN Conference in Geneva. Transferring to Devon he taught at Blundell’s school in Tiverton where he was subsequently to Chair the Governors for 10 years. After further education at the Royal Agricultural University, where he is now an honorary Fellow, he then became a rural surveyor and has worked in agriculture and rural property across Devon and elsewhere for over 30 years. He currently chairs the Board of a progressive farming company that uses technology to try to improve sustainability.

His other work has included being elected to lead the CLA, an organisation that, at the time, represented 50,000 members on a variety of rural issues. He was also a Commissioner and Board member of the Crown Estate and of English Heritage; a Commissioner of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission and of the Food, Farming and Countryside  Commission: a Board member of the SW Regional Development Agency and, as a volunteer, led the SW Board for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Other voluntary work has included trustee and board member of the National Trust; chairing the joint Government and Agricultural Industry ‘Future of Farming’ report and then the Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture; chairing the SW Rural Productivity Commission, chairing the Review of the protected sites on Dartmoor; working on the Heritage Protection Review and the Rural Housing Policy Group; serving on the Duchy of Cornwall rural committee and the Board of Historic Houses and acting as Trustee and now Vice Chairman of the Royal Countryside Fund. He has also acted as High Sheriff of Devon and chaired his local parish meeting for over 40 years.

He chaired the NSPCC Full Stop Appeal in Devon but now as Lord Lieutenant has an interest in all Devon charities and how they can work together more effectively.

Read Our

Latest News

Charter Brands Presented with King’s Award for Enterprise

Charter Brands Presented with King’s Award for Enterprise

    On Tuesday 29th July, His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Devon presented Charter Brands with their King's Award for Enterprise. This Award is the most prestigious awards for UK businesses, recognising and rewarding their outstanding achievements in the...

Yealmpton Show Supported by HM The King’s Deputy Lieutenant

Yealmpton Show Supported by HM The King’s Deputy Lieutenant

Brigadier Simon Young CBE DL (left) / David Fitzgerald (right)     On Wednesday 30th July, His Majesty's Deputy Lieutenant of Devon, Brigadier Simon Young CBE DL, attended the 136th Yealmpton Show, which took place on Kitley Lawns in Yealmpton, Plymouth....

Devon Young Fishers Awards Presented by Former CEO of RNLI

Devon Young Fishers Awards Presented by Former CEO of RNLI

    On Thursday 24th July, His Majesty's Deputy Lieutenant, Mark Dowie CBE DL (former CEO of the RNLI), joined the Devon Young Fishers for their graduation day, as two of their Young Fishing groups completed their 6 week introduction to fishing courses....

Charter Brands Presented with King’s Award for Enterprise

Charter Brands Presented with King’s Award for Enterprise

    On Tuesday 29th July, His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Devon presented Charter Brands with their King's Award for Enterprise. This Award is the most prestigious awards for UK businesses, recognising and rewarding their outstanding achievements in the...

Yealmpton Show Supported by HM The King’s Deputy Lieutenant

Yealmpton Show Supported by HM The King’s Deputy Lieutenant

Brigadier Simon Young CBE DL (left) / David Fitzgerald (right)     On Wednesday 30th July, His Majesty's Deputy Lieutenant of Devon, Brigadier Simon Young CBE DL, attended the 136th Yealmpton Show, which took place on Kitley Lawns in Yealmpton, Plymouth....

Devon Young Fishers Awards Presented by Former CEO of RNLI

Devon Young Fishers Awards Presented by Former CEO of RNLI

    On Thursday 24th July, His Majesty's Deputy Lieutenant, Mark Dowie CBE DL (former CEO of the RNLI), joined the Devon Young Fishers for their graduation day, as two of their Young Fishing groups completed their 6 week introduction to fishing courses....

The Lord Lieutenant of Devon Opens Community Library at Cockwood

The Lord Lieutenant of Devon Opens Community Library at Cockwood

  On Tuesday 15th July, His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Devon was pleased to open the new Community Library at Cockwood. In attendance was also the Mayor of Dawlish, Councillor Anthony James, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Lynda Littlewood.     Cockwood...