THE DEPUTY LIEUTENANTS
The Lord-Lieutenant is supported in her work by a team of Deputy Lieutenants (DL) across the county. The size of the population of Buckinghamshire determines the maximum number of DLs that the Lord-Lieutenant may appoint. Buckinghamshire currently has 27 active Deputy Lieutenants who form an influential body of people well placed to support the county in many ways.
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Deputy Lieutenants are appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant. They come from all walks of life and all parts of the County and are all people who have given significant service to their country or county. The role of Deputy Lieutenants, like that of the Lord-Lieutenant is non-political.
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Deputy Lieutenants reflect a broad range of services to the community, cultural background, ethnic mix, gender and social range. 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 many organisations throughout the County.
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Deputy Lieutenants support the work of the Lord-Lieutenant. They represent the Lord-Lieutenant in a wide range of public duties and at many engagements throughout Buckinghamshire. They play a particularly important ceremonial role at the many Citizenship Ceremonies.
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Deputy Lieutenants are particularly involved in encouraging voluntary organisations and charities – not least through their active work in encouraging and assisting with the assessment process of the Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service.
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Deputy Lieutenants may wear a special badge when they are representing the Lord-Lieutenant​.
Aylesbury Vale
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MR GEORGE ANSON
George Anson was born in Canada in 1960 to a Canadian mother and British father. He spent most of his formative years in Iowa in the American Midwest. He went to the University of Iowa where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance in 1982.
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In 1984 he moved to the United Kingdom and started his career in The City working initially for GT Management, before moving to Hancock Venture Partners (later HarbourVest Partners) in 1990 where he was a founder and partner for 27 years overseeing their European and Asian activities. George retired from HarbourVest Partners in June 2017.
George has been married to Kirsty for 37 years, and they have three grown children; Josceline, Douglas and Peter (26).
They have lived in north Buckinghamshire since 1990, and in Weedon since 1999.
George is involved with a number of charitable and not-for-profit organisations, and is a keen golfer and sportsman.
AIR VICE MARSHAL CHRISTINA ELLIOT CB CBE DL
After gaining her degree from Glasgow University, Chris joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1985 as an Air Traffic Control Officer.
Over the course of her 35-year career which included a posting to HQ Air Command and appointment as Station Commander at RAF Halton, she retired in the rank of Air Vice Marshal in June 2020.
Chris joined the Reserve component the day after completing her full-time service. She was a Trustee of the RAF Sports Federation for eight years and left the Charity after handing over as Chair in February 2020.
She joined the RAF Benevolent Fund in April 2020, taking over as CEO
MRS ALISON PHILLIPS OBE DL
Alison is a former member of HM Diplomatic Service serving at the United Nations in New York and as the UK’s representative at UNESCO in Paris. She was awarded an OBE for services to the FCO.
She has also been a Non-Executive Director of Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the Chairman of the Cancer Care and Haematology Fund, a Council member and Trustee of the University of Buckingham and served as a member of the Thames Valley Police Authority until 2012, and thereafter in a senior advisory role.
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Alison is married to Richard Phillips QC and has a daughter.
HIS HONOUR JUDGE FRANCIS SHERIDAN DL
HHJ Francis Sheridan was appointed DL in 2019
THE HON MRS MILLY SOAMES DL
Camilla Soames (Milly) has lived in Buckinghamshire since 1991. She has been a Patron of the Pace Centre since 2005 and Patron of Heart of Bucks Community Foundation and Milton Keynes Museum since 2017.
After her year as High Sherriff ended in 2017 she undertook the role of Chair of BACO (Bucks Association for the Care of Offenders) and is a Trustee of Action 4 Youth. In January 2019 she joined the Council of Buckingham University.
She has three adult children and lives with her husband Rupert, on a small farm in the Vale of Aylesbury.
MRS MARY TUCKETT JP DL
Born and educated in Buckinghamshire apart from University. Runs the family agricultural business in the Vale of Aylesbury.
Other interests include sport and access for young people to sport, especially at grass roots.
Served as Chair of National Charity for equestrian sport giving access to riding at all levels from Olympic pathway to recreational riding on borrowed ponies.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL SIMON WILKINSON TD DL
Lt Col Simon Wilkinson is born and bred Bucks, schooled in the County he volunteered to join the Army Reserve at the age of 18 and has spent 40 years as a Reservist including Operational tours.
He is Chairman and Trustee of several charities in the County.
He is a local estate agent and has 2 daughters
CHILTERN AND SOUTH BUCKS
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DR NIGHAT ARIF DL
Dr Nighat is a GP specialising in women's health, family planning and menopause care with over 16 years of experience in the NHS and she runs her own private practice. She is the resident Doctor on BBC Breakfast and ITV This Morning. She is a health content creator working with YouTube Health and the WHO Fides programme. Dr Nighat is the Ambassador for Wellbeing of Women and the recipient of a 2023 Prime Ministers 'Point of Light' Award in recognition of her work of raising awareness of Women's Health issues in the UK. Dr Nighat was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from City University, London for Science and Public Health. In September 2023, Dr Nighat formed The Health Collective in partnership with Dame Lesley Regan to help map grassroots organisations in the UK to ensure equitable access to healthcare and appropriate nuanced policies as part of Women’s Health Strategy.
MRS JOANNA BARCLAY DL
Joanna Barclay has lived in the Chilterns for 29 years, having returned from 6 years in Paris. She has 3 children and a growing band of grandchildren.
Accompanying her husband Joe during his busy shrieval year, 2014-15, gave her a deeper understanding of how the county operates at many levels.
Her background is in picture research and, in 2016, she produced a documentary film on Our County at War: The Home Front in Buckinghamshire, 1914-1918. Amongst other things, she is County Organiser for Buckinghamshire Historic Churches Trust’s Ride + Stride.
THE HON MRS FARNCOMBE DL
Jenefer has had close family connections with Buckinghamshire all her life.
Following a former career as a kitchen design specialist she pursued an interest in architectural conservation, property and environmental matters.
Jenefer is a Trustee of Bucks Historic Churches Trust and two other small local charities fostering facilities for education and recreation for all age groups in the community.
She is also a Patron of the Chiltern Shakespeare Company which performs annually to raise funds for charity.
MR ANDREW M SMITH OBE DL
Andrew, who lives in Stoke Poges, is a director of the world-famous Pinewood Studios in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, home to James Bond.
He is a passionate advocate of the UK film industry serving as a Governor of the British Film Institute, a member of the British Film Commission and a member of BAFTA.
Andrew is a director of Buckinghamshire Business First and a member of Buckinghamshire Councils Placed Based Growth Board
Milton Keynes
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MISS DEBBIE BROCK DL
Debbie was an elected member of Milton Keynes Council for eight years and MK Mayor in 2010/1.
She became the first Chairman of the MK Health and Wellbeing Board in 2012 retiring from local politics in 2014. She is married to Peter Geary and they have one school age daughter.
A stalwart supporter of many organisations in Milton Keynes including the MK Community Foundation and is Chairman of the MK Cenotaph Trust which established in collaboration with partners, the MK Rose in Campbell Park.
She is a bright, excellent communicator, active DL and Vice Chairman of the Buckinghamshire Honours Committee
MR ALEXANDER BOSWELL DL
Alexander Boswell was appointed to the role of HM Vice Lord-Lieutenant in 2011 retiring the role in 2023. He served as the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire in 2006/7 and was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in 2008. He is an active Ambassador for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes, both through his wide local business interests and philanthropic work.
The main focus of his community work has been in Milton Keynes, where he has served as President of the MK Community Foundation and Patron to Bletchley Park and Willen Hospice and Board Member of The Parks Trust.
In 2014 he facilitated the acclaimed 'Treasures in MK' art exhibition at the MK Gallery. His current focus is the facilitation of start-up hubs in Milton Keynes. He founded the MK Investors Group in 2015 with the aim of supporting and nurturing new local business enterprises.
MRS SARAH CLARKE JP DL
Sarah has lived in Milton Keynes for over 30 years. Together with her husband Paul, she is a Director of an IT and Data Analytics business and sits on the management Board of the MK Biztech Technology Hub.
Sarah is a magistrate, a former Chair of the Buckinghamshire Bench and a Trustee of the Magistrates’ Association
MR MARTYN J GRIFFITHS JP DL
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HIS HONOUR ANTONY HUGHES DL
After qualifying as a solicitor in 1977, Tony moved with his family to Milton Keynes where he practiced as a local solicitor for many years and undertook parttime judicial appointments including Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrate and Recorder until 2006 when he was appointed a fulltime Circuit Judge.
In 2007 he became the Designated Family Judge for Buckinghamshire and retained that position until 2019 after which he continued to sit fulltime as a Circuit Judge until his retirement in May 2023.
MRS FOLA KOMOLAFE MBE DL
Fola worked in the private and public sector for over thirty years before retiring from Mazars as partner and global lead for international development.
She worked in financial services at HSBC, in IBM’s technology and consulting business and spent thirteen years working in international development through NNGO, INGO and Open University. Fola leads Indisys, a consulting and coaching services business, and is the co-founder of Fresh Inspiration, a charity devoted to the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.
A passionate christian minister and business leader, Fola is also Non Executive Director on a number of boards and vice president with MKCF and British Red Cross
DAME ANN LIMB DBE DL
A Mancunian by birth, and a Milton Keynesian by adoption, Ann is an educationalist, business leader, charity entrepreneur and philanthropist.
She came to Buckinghamshire in 1986 to take up the post of Principal, Milton Keynes College and has remained here ever since, living with her Buckinghamshire-born wife Maggie in Stony Stratford.
Ann holds several business and charity roles both in the county and nationally.
DR JULIE MILLS OBE DL
Julie is a graduate of the Open University and was awarded a Doctorate in 2005 for her research into Prison Education. Her career in education spans 35 years, starting as a part-time teacher in adult education and culminating in the role of Chief Executive at the Milton Keynes College Group.
Julie also led the College’s Prison Education Team for several years and led a consortium of employers including Microsoft, KPMG and McAfee in a successful bid to central government to establish The South Central Institute of Technology, in Bletchley. She was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to education and in bringing education and employers together.
Julie continues to champion inclusion and social mobility through her roles as chair of the Helena Kennedy Foundation and Women Leaders UK.
MR JOHN MOFFOOT MBE DL
John Moffoot was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, 2012, and made a Deputy Lieutenant the following year. He lives in Milton Keynes with his wife, Muriel.
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John worked in local government for 44 years before his retirement in 2012. He is a founder trustee of the MK Cenotaph Trust, and a director of Camphill Milton Keynes Communities Ltd and Tools for Self-Reliance MK Ltd, of which he is Chair.
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John is a season ticket holder at Milton Keynes Dons, and a member of Newport Pagnell Methodist Church
MRS FRANCESCA SKELTON DL
After a career in magazine publishing, Francesca managed a local charity in her home town of Milton Keynes, and took on voluntary roles as Chair of MK Community Foundation, and later MK College.
A Deputy Lieutenant since 2007, she was High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire 2015/16. She is currently Chair of the Arts and Heritage Alliance, Milton Keynes.
MRS JULIA UPTON MBE DL
Julia is a Trustee and the Chair of MK YMCA, a Trustee of The Milton Keynes Rose Trust and The Stables Theatre.
She was High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire 2019 - 2020.
Julia has enjoyed two careers, firstly in education then as CEO of MK Community Foundation. She was Vice Chair of UK Community Foundation, which works to develop Community Foundations in the UK and create best practice in philanthropy.
Julia continues to be enthusiastic in her support of the voluntary sector in its endeavours to create successful and thriving communities.
Wycombe
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MR MIKE CLARE
Mike supports many philanthropic organisations including Outward Bound, The Princes Trust, Child Bereavement UK, Heart of Bucks and The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. Mike founded his own charity, The Clare Foundation in 2009, which offers support and loans to Buckinghamshire charities to help them become more efficient and effective.
DR SHEENA DYKES MBE DL
Sheena is the co-founder and chair of Wycombe Homeless Connection and was awarded a BEM in 2020 for her services to homelessness.
She had a career as an NHS consultant psychiatrist and was Medical Director of Buckinghamshire Mental Health Trust (now part of Oxford Health).
She was Director of the Career Development Unit of the Oxford Postgraduate Medical Deanery supporting doctors facing training difficulties in the Oxford region
PROFESSOR RUTH FARWELL CBE DL
Following a career in universities including as Vice Chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, Ruth continues to be involved in education with board and advisory positions and as a trustee and volunteer for local charity BACO
MISS NAOMI RICHES MBE DL
Naomi graduated from Bucks New University with her degree in 2006 but by that point had already been an Elite Athlete with the Great Britain Paralympic Rowing Team for 2 years.
During her 9 years in the GB squad she won 6 World titles, a Bronze at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008 earning her a Hon MA from Bucks New University, and a Gold a London 2012.
She was awarded an MBE for services to Rowing in the 2013 New Years Honours list.