Herefordshire currently has 19 Deputy Lieutenants (DLs), appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant.  They are widely representative of the county in many respects and are pointed for their outstanding contribution to the country or the county. They support the Lord-Lieutenant in performing his duties and represent him at events and functions. This is an entirely voluntary, unpaid role.

Vice Lord-Lieutenant

The Lord-Lieutenant chooses one deputy to be Vice Lord-Lieutenant with The King approving the appointment.

Vice Lord-Lieutenant

Mr James Hervey-Bathurst CBE, DL: Appointed 2021

James Hervey-Bathurst qualified as a lawyer and then worked for Kleinwort Benson before moving into recruitment with Russell Reynolds and then Norman Broadbent. From 2004 to 2008 he served as President of Historic Houses, which represents the interests of the UK’s 1500 privately-owned historic houses. From 2009 to 2013, he was Chairman of the World Monuments Fund (UK), a charity that supported the restoration of Shobdon Church, Herefordshire. He was a Director of The British Syrian Society from 2006 to 2012 and of Visit Herefordshire from 2011 to 2015. James now manages his family business at Eastnor Castle. He was appointed a CBE in the 2009 for services to the built heritage. He was High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 2019/2020. James is the Chair of The Queen's Green Canopy committee.

Current Deputy Lieutenants

General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith GCB CBE DL: Appointed 2023

Mark Carleton-Smith concluded 40 years service in the British Army in 2022 as the longest serving Head of the British Army and Chief of the General Staff since the Second World War. He arrived in Herefordshire in 1990 and it has been his permanent home since 1997. He now sits on several boards, advises a global consultancy, chairs a charity and acts as Patron of Snodhill Castle Preservation Trust. He also sits on the Advisory Council of the International Institute for Strategic Studies and the Warsaw Security Forum.

Mrs Tamsin Clive DL: Appointed 2016

Having had an early career in the art world Tamsin moved with her husband and children to Herefordshire in 1999 to help take on the running of a farming business. Since then she has also been involved with a number of charities both nationally and local. She was a trustee of the Guinness Trust housing association for 8 years and is now Chairman of the Mappa Mundi Trust and the Queenswood Coronation Fund as well as a trustee of the Eveson Trust. She has a particular interest in the arts and travel and in the pleasure of living in a county that grows such wonderful trees.

Mr Paul Deneen OBE, JP, DL: Appointed 2008

Paul graduated at Birmingham University and is a former High School Teacher. He is currently the elected District and Branch Secretary of the National Education Union in Herefordshire. Other roles include chairing the Board of Governors at Walford Nursery and Primary School.  Previous roles include being a Magistrate and Deputy Chair of the Herefordshire Bench, being Chair of the Powys and Herefordshire Magistrates Association, serving on the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee which appointed Magistrates in Herefordshire, chairing the West Mercia Police Authority, a National Board Member and chair of the Independent Member Group of the Association of Police Authorities.  Paul is a former Chair of Healthwatch Herefordshire as well as serving as a member of the former NHS Herefordshire Board. Locally he was chair of the Advisory Board for BBC Hereford and Worcester; the first chair of the Ross-on-Wye Citizen’s Advice Bureau as well as being a Trustee of two local Charities in the Ross-on-Wye area. Paul is currently studying Welsh, and he also enjoys researching local history and visiting National Trust properties. Paul is the Chair of The King's Award for Voluntary Service committee.

Mrs Susan Furnival DL: Appointed 2016

Originally a teacher, Sue has served the community as a magistrate for 25 years. She has wide experience in this voluntary role, including contributing to the Licensing Panel, Domestic Violence Forum and West Mercia Police Scrutiny Panel, becoming Deputy Chair of the Probation Forum, Deputy Chair and then Chair of the Family Panel, as well as Deputy Chair and then Chair of the Herefordshire Bench from 2014-2017. Among the first Appraisers in the county, she still appraises other magistrates and sat until recently on the Staffordshire and West Mercia Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for Justices of the Peace. She has a particular interest in supporting mental health causes, including nationwide charity CALM and Friends of Hereford Samaritans for which she has volunteered. She also volunteers for the Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust.

Mr Nathaniel Hone DL: Appointed 2015

Nat Hone was born where he now lives with his wife, Laura near Ledbury. Following an engineering degree and a year at the Royal Agricultural College he worked for an agricultural engineering company. He attended INSEAD, the business school in France and spent his career in Venture and Development Capital in London. Nat was a Governor at, then Chair of The Elms School in Colwall. He was Chair of the Herefordshire Community Foundation. He is currently the chair of the Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust and has had various Trustee/Directorships on the Hereford Diocesan Board of Finance. He is a member of the CLA Herefordshire Committee. He chairs the local parish hall committee and has played various roles with the local PCC. He was High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 2018.Married to Laura with three grown up daughters.

Air Commodore Tim Howson DL: Appointed 2022       

Tim Howson was commissioned into the Royal Air Force as a graduate entrant in 1974. He served at RAF stations in the UK and Germany, within the Ministry of Defence, and in the Middle East.  His last appointment was in Bristol, and upon leaving the RAF in 2005 he and his wife Shelagh moved to Herefordshire. After a further six years working on projects throughout the UK, he joined SSAFA -The Armed Forces Charity as a volunteer. He has been Chair of Herefordshire SSAFA since 2016, and is also Vice-Chairman of the Herefordshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership and is thus involved with many aspects of the local Armed Services community. He also retains a link with The British Legion Poppy Factory in Richmond, founded by his great uncle. He is on his local PCC, and, as importantly, he is Treasurer and Head Barman of the annual Dinedor Sports.  Tim and Shelagh have two adult children, and four grandchildren.

Mrs Joanna Hilditch DL: Appointed 2011

Chair Communication Committee and sits on the honours, QAE and QAVS committees. Jo is a fourth generation farmer from Lyonshall. Having spent a spell in London working in marketing and PR, she came back to the family farm soon after getting married in 1992.  Involved with the farming, food production and tourism sectors and has chaired the Hereford Agricultural Club, as well as the Herefordshire CLA.  Currently chair of the national Blackcurrant Foundation, she has also formerly chaired the Visit Herefordshire Economy Group and currently sits on the board of the Herefordshire Destination BID as the marketing lead.  Following her year as High Sheriff in 2020 she is also involved with several local charities sitting on the board of Yeleni and Vennture as well as producing a podcast highlighting the work of so many unsung heroes in Herefordshire. Married to Ian aka Gio with 3 children.

Mr William Lindesay DL: Appointed 2016

Chairman of the Herefordshire Lieutenancy Honours Committee.

Will was born in, and has lived in Herefordshire all his life. He has spent 25 years working in, and volunteering in the local voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. This has included youth work, community development, and regeneration in the South Wye area where Will lived for over 15 years. Since 2006 Will has been Chief Executive of two leading umbrella charities, Herefordshire Voluntary Action (2006 – 2012) and Herefordshire Voluntary Organisations Support Service (2012 – present). He has a wide range of other volunteering interests, trusteeships, advisory roles, and enjoys furthering his passion for sport and leisure, both as a participant and volunteer

Lord Lisvane KCB, DL: Appointed 2015

As Sir Robert Rogers, he was Clerk of the House of Commons and Chief Executive 2011-14, after a career in the House Service. On retirement he received a peerage and, as an independent, sits on the Cross Benches, specialising in constitutional and governance matters. Robert is the joint author of How Parliament Works, and is the author of two Parliamentary miscellanies. He is an honorary Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford, an honorary Bencher of the Middle Temple, and Chairman of the Royal College of Organists. He was Master of the Skinners’ Company 2018-19, and now chairs its charitable foundation. Robert is Chairman of the Fabric Advisory Committee of Hereford Cathedral, a past Chairman of its Perpetual Trust, and Patron of Herefordshire Headway, which seeks to rehabilitate those with acquired brain injury. He was appointed High Steward of the City of Hereford in 2016.

Lady McFarlane (Susanna) DL: Appointed 2010

Susanna is a part time physiotherapist working on the board of Wye Valley Trust. She is a safeguarding governor of The Brookfield School and Chair of their Local Governing Board and of The Elms Colwall; safeguarding trustee of Herefordshire Cricket Club; trustee of Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust; an independent member of West Mercia Police Vetting Appeal Panel, trustee of YSS and former Chair for 10 years; and former church warden; a former member of the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Cttee for the selection of magistrates.

Sarah de Rohan

Born in Shropshire and educated there and Staffordshire, I won a scholarship to Los Angeles, California and went to University before joining Lloyds Bank as a Graduate Trainee in London and meeting Charles. We married in 1989 and spent the next 17 years or so living around the world. Originally working in Investment Banking, I then went into Derivatives training before ‘retiring’ to bring up our 3 children.

Whilst traveling, we realised that an ex-pat school life was not what we wanted and decided to send them to St Richards School, Bredenbury and bought our present house in 2000. In 2005, we returned to Herefordshire full time. Since here I have filled my time helping at Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust and St Johns Ambulance, Birley PCC and the Birley with Upper Hill as a Councillor. I am a Magistrate on the Hereford Bench, serving the Adult and Youth courts. I have also had the great privilege of serving Herefordshire as High Sheriff 2022- 2023.

Colonel Andy Taylor OBE, DL: Appointed 2016

Andy was born and educated in Ledbury and after a successful career as an Army Logistician serving in UK, Germany and Canada and undertaking 7 operational tours, he returned to live in the county in 2007. He is involved with many Military Charities and is County Chairman of the Reserve Forces & Cadets Association and the county organising committees for Armed Forces Day and Remembrance events. He is the Rifles County Colonel and a keen military historian and researcher and Honorary Curator of The Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum. He is also Chair of the County Priory Group of the Order of St John.

Mrs Helen Thomas DL: Appointed 2011

Since Henry Weston founded Westons Cider in 1880 there have been five generations of Westons spanning the business. Helen Thomas, Henry’s great-granddaughter, became its first female Managing Director in 1996. During her 20+ years in the role, Helen has spearheaded Westons’ growth, increasing turnover from £5.5m to over £65m.  The Company now employs over 230 people. Helen is a past Chair of the National Association of Cidermakers. She became the first female to be appointed Chair in 2005. She is a member of the NACM Pomology Group. She is also a Trustee of John Masefield High School, Chairman of the Board at the Shire Horse Society and Chair of Trustees at The Buchanan Trust.

Mrs Patricia Thomas DL: Appointed 2022

Tricia was born into a farming family in Huntingdonshire and moved to Herefordshire in 1980 after studying at agricultural college. Although farming has always featured, she has spent much of her working life with her husband Richard, establishing and growing a manufacturing business in Leominster. Involved in all aspects of the business, she has accumulated much commercial experience and has a particular interest in recruitment and how people and roles within companies can be developed.   As High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 2020/2021, Tricia promoted ‘Preparing Young People for Work’, engaging with schools across the county.  She believes that stronger links between business and education are vital, and has recently become an Enterprise Advisor.  She has 2 children and 4 grandchildren, Tricia is a keen gardener and loves walking in Herefordshire’s glorious countryside. Tricia is the Chair of The King's Award for Enterprise committee.

Mrs Karen Usher DL: Appointed 2016

Karen had a successful career as an entrepreneur in Washington, D.C. where she still maintains a Human Resources outsourcing business.  She recently completed her role as Founding Director for NMITE, Herefordshire’s new engineering university.  She has also served as a Founder of Dorstone’s Front Room, a governor for the Hereford Cathedral School, a governor for Peterchurch Primary School and other community and educational efforts.  A keen gardener, she is spending increasing time focusing on how to support the uptake of sustainability efforts within domestic settings.  Karen continues to serve as an Ambassador for NMITE and a Trustee of the Spectris Foundation which supports STEM education internationally. Karen has recently been appointed as a Director for Dorstone Relief in Need (DRIN) a small local registered charity provide financial relief for Dorstone residents who are finding themselves unexpectedly in difficulty.

Mr Patrick Wrixon DL: Appointed 2016

Patrick is a farmer in North West Herefordshire. He is founder and chairman of The Cart Shed charity, which offers woodland based therapeutic skills to people with mental health issues. Patrick is a Trustee of The Rowlands Trust, a West Midlands grant giving trust. He is chairman of the National Farmers Union Members association in Hereford, a former Chairman of Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and a fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society. A member of the Rural Payments Agency Appeals Panel. Interests include tennis, golf and hiking. He sits on the Honours, Communication and QAE committees of the Lieutenancy. Married to Fay with two children. 

Retired Lord-Lieutenants

The Dowager Countess of Darnley CVO, CStJ, JP – 2008-2020
Sir Thomas Dunne, KG, KCVO – 1977-2008

Retired Vice Lord-Lieutenants

Mr Christopher James OBE, DL – 2010 (2014 as V-LL) -2021
Lieutenant General Sir John Foley KCB, OBE, MC, DL – 2005-2014

Retired Deputy Lieutenants

Mr Robert Tabor DL – 2011-2020
Air Vice Marshal Michael Smart OBE, DL – 2005-2017
Mrs Elizabeth Banks CBE, DL – 2008-2016
Major James Hereford MBE, DL – 2008 – 2014
Mrs Jennifer Dereham MBE, DL – 1987-2012
Mrs Susan Harley DL – 2005-2012
General Sir Peter de la Billiere KCB, KBE, DSO, MC, DL – 1993-2009
Mr John Dent JP, DL – 1987-2009
Mrs Joyce Thomas MBE, DL – 2005-2006

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant to Herefordshire is strongly supported by the Clerk to the Lieutenancy.

The Clerk to the Lieutenancy

The Clerk to the Lieutenancy is Paul Walker the Chief Executive of Herefordshire Council.

Civic Liaison Officers

 The Lord-Lieutenant is supported by Maxine David and Ceri Charnick, the Civic Liaison Officers, who provide administrative support, enabling requests to be processed.

      

Ceri Charnick                               Maxine David

01432 260024                              01432 260044

Email: lieutenancy@herefordshire.gov.uk