Professor Simon Brake appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands
The Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands has announced the appointment of Professor Simon Brake as a Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands.
Professor Brake is an experienced leader working across higher education, healthcare, government and academia, with particular expertise in strategy, leadership, organisational change and service improvement.
He is Chief Innovation and Engagement Officer at Warwick Medical School and Group Director for Research and Development at South Warwickshire University Foundation NHS Group. In addition, he holds several national and regional public appointments and non-executive roles in government.
A long-term resident of Coventry, Professor Brake is actively involved in supporting local and regional charities, particularly those focused on veterans in the West Midlands and nationally. He is also an active community volunteer and both serves and sings in his local church.
Speaking about his appointment Professor Brake said: “It’s a real honour to be appointed to serve the Lord Lieutenant in supporting the many individuals and organisations across the West Midlands who dedicate themselves to caring for our communities. This is especially true of our veterans and those currently serving in the armed forces, as well as the countless volunteers who give their time, skills and energy to make a positive difference.
“I very much look forward to learning more about the invaluable work they do, and to playing my part in recognising and supporting their collective efforts in any way I can.”
Deputy Lieutenants support the Lord-Lieutenant in his role as His Majesty The King’s personal representative in the West Midlands. Their duties include supporting official royal visits, representing the Lieutenancy at citizenship ceremonies, supporting the Armed Forces, and encouraging charitable and voluntary activity across the region.
The Lord-Lieutenant said the appointments recognised the outstanding service each individual had given in improving opportunities and making a positive difference to the lives of others across the West Midlands.
“Each of these new Deputy Lieutenants brings a wealth of experience, dedication and commitment to public service. They represent the very best of the West Midlands — a place defined by strong communities, generosity, innovation and civic pride. I am delighted to welcome them to our team of enthusiastic and committed Deputy Lieutenants and look forward to the important contribution they will make across the region in the years ahead.”
A list of the other appointments can be found here.
ENDS
For more information contact:
07392 125 605
About The West Midlands Lieutenancy
The West Midlands Lieutenancy area (the County of the West Midlands) comprises Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton. It is the second largest Lieutenancy in the country with a population of more than 3 million.
The County of the West Midlands was first created on 1st April 1974 with the creation of West Midlands County Council, made up of the metropolitan districts and boroughs of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton. Although abolished on 31st March 1986, along with other regional councils like Greater Manchester, it was retained with regards to areas covered by Lord-Lieutenants.
The Lord-Lieutenant is The Sovereign’s representative in West Midlands and is charged with upholding the dignity of the Crown. He is supported by a Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants.
The first Lord-Lieutenant of the County of West Midlands was the 11th Earl of Aylesford until he retired in 1983. He was followed by Sir Robert Taylor who retired due to ill health in 2006. Mr Paul Sabapathy CBE was appointed in 2007 and held this post until September 2015. Sir John Crabtree OBE was appointed in January 2017 retiring from office on August 5, 2024 when he was succeeded by Derrick Anderson, CBE.
Appointment of a Lord-Lieutenant and Vice Lord-Lieutenant
In England and Wales, His Majesty The King appoints the Lord-Lieutenant and also Vice Lord-Lieutenant for each County on the advice of the Prime Minister.
The fundamental principle concerning the office is that he/she is His Majesty's representative and consequently it is his/her first and foremost duty to uphold the dignity of the Crown.
The retirement age is 75.
The duties of a Lord-Lieutenant, Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants in the West Midlands include:
- arranging and co-ordinating Royal Visits to the County and attending on Royalty during official visits to the County;
- performing certain duties in connection with the armed forces of the Crown and in particular the reserve and cadet forces;
- making presentations of honours and awards on behalf of the Crown such as British Empire Medals, King’s Awards for Enterprise and King’s Awards for Voluntary Service;
- encouraging charitable and voluntary work and local initiatives to benefit the community;
- promoting and encouraging nominations for Honours and the King’s Awards for the county of the West Midlands;
- attending and supporting citizenship ceremonies.