On Friday 1st May, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon, presented nine British Empire Medals on behalf of the King.
British Empire Medals are awarded for very “hands-on” service to the community in a local geographical area. Those awarded were:
- Samantha Abrahams BEM – for services to the community in Devon
- Gillian Ainslie BEM – for services to the community in Plymouth
- David Allen BEM – for services to Judo
- Diane Fuller BEM – for services to the community in Sid Valley, Devon
- Charlotte Luckett BEM – for Public Service and to Charity
- Victoria Seymour BEM – for services to Skills
- Lesley-Ann Simpson BEM – for services to Men’s Health
- David Stembridge KC BEM – for services to the community in Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo, Devon
- John Vincent BEM – for services to Public Libraries
The Lord Lieutenant also welcomed five new Deputy Lieutenants during the ceremony. They assist the work of the Lord Lieutenant by supporting and representing him in ceremonial and community duties, as The King’s representative in the County. Those commissioned were:
- Nicholas Ames DL – Nick has worked as CEO for Supacat, the engineering and military vehicle business based in East Devon, since 2003. Nick has served on the Local Enterprise Partnership Board from 2012 to 2018 and was Chair of the Exeter Science Park from 2020 to 2025. Nick also coached junior rugby at Crediton Rugby Club from 2006 to 2013.
- Stuart Brocklehurst DL – Stuart serves as a Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Exeter. He is Chair of Exeter Science Centre’s Advisory Board and Vice Chair of Great South West, as well as serving on the boards of a number of bodies related to the county. Stuart previously ran a technology business based in Devon.
- Julie Dent CBE DL – Julie is a non executive on the Management Committee of the Parole Board for England and Wales and is the Chair of CoLAB in Exeter. She was previously the Chair of Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Libraries Unlimited, Torbay NHS Care Trust and London Probation. Julie’s executive career was in the NHS in London. Her last executive post was as Chief Executive of South West London Strategic Health Authority. She was head of emergency planning for London. After the London bombings in 2005, she was awarded the CBE for services to the NHS. She has always championed the rights of patients and equality and diversity, in particular, she has advocated for the most disadvantaged in society. She has been on the boards of the School Food Trust and User voice a charity for offenders. She has been a school governor and is currently a Parish Councillor.
- Lee Howell OBE QFSM DL – Lee was previously Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. He held national roles including as a Government strategic advisor to several Government Departments for many years. He is a Non-Executive Director for a national private sector health care provider and chair of its Charity. Lee is a risk, audit and assurance specialist, working across the private, public and charity sectors.
- Brigadier Michael Tanner OBE DL – Mike served as an officer in the Royal Marines from 1989 – 2026. He commanded 45 Commando (based in Scotland) on operations around the world, before taking charge of the Commando Training Centre near Exmouth. He was the Deputy Naval Base Commander in Portsmouth, responsible for preparing the base for the arrival of the new class of aircraft carriers, and then commanded Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth 2022-2026. In this latter role he worked to better integrate the needs of the Royal Navy with the city of Plymouth and the SW region : creating a sustainable pipeline of skills development underpinned by HMG support under the Team Plymouth initiative. He was awarded the Bronze Star for combat valour in Iraq whilst serving with the US Marine Corps in 2003, and the QCVS for service to the UK in Iraq in 2006. He holds a MA from Kings College London and an Honorary PhD from Plymouth University.
Also in attendance was the High Sheriff of Devon, the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, the Chair of Devon County Council, the Chair of Teignbridge District Council, and the Vice Chair of East Devon District Council.