TWO Deputies and a Vice Lord-Lieutenant have been appointed by Louise Fleet, JP.
Louise Fleet, JP, HM Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan, has appointed two Deputies and a Vice Lord-Lieutenant as the Office readies for an increase in public engagements as lockdown restrictions ease and preparations are made for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year.
Retired Accountant Philip Hunkin has been appointed Vice Lord-Lieutenant for West Glamorgan, succeeding Dr Edward Roberts a well-known GP in Neath Port Talbot, who retired last June.
Alan Brayley, a prominent Swansea businessman and the President of Swansea Bay Business Club, has been appointed a Deputy Lieutenant.
Susan Jones, MBE, the Lead Nurse for school health nursing & looked after children nursing services at Swansea Bay University Health Board until her retirement in January, has also been appointed Deputy Lieutenant.
A Lord Lieutenant is the Queen’s personal representative for a particular County. The position is unpaid. Their duties include arranging visits by members of the royal family; representing the Queen at functions and ceremonies; liaising with the armed forces; presenting and encouraging nominations for medals, awards and honours; and assisting charities, often in an official capacity as patron or president. They are encouraged to play an active role in the business, civic and social life of their area.
The appointments, which are all unpaid, mean the necessary support is now in place for the Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan as her Office gears up for a busy schedule of engagements after a long period where social gatherings have been restricted. On top of this, a number of big events are being planned to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year.
The appointment of two individuals with strong business backgrounds is also significant. An important function of a Lord Lieutenant is encouraging nominations for the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, an awards programme for businesses that excel at international trade, innovation, sustainable development or promoting opportunity. The Award is the highest official UK award for British businesses.
Philip Hunkin has been a Deputy Lieutenant since 2016 and was the High Sheriff of West Glamorgan in 2006. He is a director of WBV Chartered Accountants. He is also the Treasurer of a number of charities including St John Cymru Wales West Glamorgan Council and the Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts. He is also a Director of Neath Inspired, which organises the Business Improvement District in Neath.
Alan Brayley is the Managing Director and owner of AB Glass, an award-winning architectural aluminium and access control specialist, which employs over 40 people and a 20-strong sub-contractor team of installers. He built the business from scratch since its launch in 1991. He is also the President of Swansea Bay Business Club, representing the region’s business community, and a member of Manufacturing Wales.
Susan Jones, MBE, began her nursing career in 1972 at Neath General Hospital becoming a children’s ward staff nurse. She later became the lead nurse for the School Health Nursing Service in 2010 and played a key role in developing the 2010 School Nursing Framework for Welsh Government and worked with the Chief Nursing Officer on its revision launched in 2017. Susan is also the Trustee and Treasurer of the Children’s Right’s Unit, a charity in Neath Port Talbot.
Louise Fleet, HM Lord Lieutenant, said: “I am delighted to unveil these appointments ahead of what will be a busy schedule for the Office of the Lord Lieutenant. I was honoured to take this position just as the first lockdown came into force some 12 months ago in March 2020. This, inevitably, limited the number of engagements that were possible.
“With lockdown restrictions now easing, we feel it is important to get back into the community, engaging with local businesses and charities as much as we can. These appointments assist us in doing that as well as offering additional resources and expertise as we plan for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year.
“I believe the experience and contacts of Philip and Alan within the local business community will be invaluable in their new roles. Equally, Susan’s knowledge of the communities in Neath Port Talbot acquired over 35 years in community nursing together with her passion for the rights of children and young people will be a great asset to the lieutenancy’s community engagement work in West Glamorgan.”
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