Five individuals have been formally recognised as Deputy Lieutenants at a ceremony held at County Hall, acknowledging their outstanding contributions to the local community.
The appointments, commissioned in 2025 by the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur OBE CStJ, celebrate a wide range of service across public, voluntary, and business sectors.
Picture credit: Leicestershire County Council
Among those honoured is Lieutenant Colonel Sir Anthony Charles Richards KCVO, who dedicated 23 years to serving Queen Elizabeth II as Equerry and Deputy Master of the Household, having previously held a similar role for the Duke of Edinburgh.
Rob Nixon CBE QPM, recently retired Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police, also joins the Lieutenancy. With a policing career spanning more than three decades, Nixon was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in 2020, served as Temporary Chief Constable in 2022, and was later confirmed in the role permanently.
In the business sector, Kevin Buchanan, Group CEO of Leicestershire-based Pall-Ex, has been recognised for his leadership and community engagement. Under his direction, Pall-Ex became the first pallet network to receive the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award. Buchanan also supports a county-wide initiative to establish a Homelessness Charter and Covenant for Leicestershire and Rutland.
Henrietta Chubb, who served as High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 2023/24, is also among the new Deputy Lieutenants. During her term, she founded the Leicestershire High Sheriff’s Fund, raising over £75,000 for local causes. She is a leading member of the Worshipful Company of Grocers, one of the first two women elected to its Court in its 600-year history, and holds numerous voluntary positions including President of South West Leicestershire Scouts and patron of CleanupUK.
Sally Illsley brings four decades of voluntary service with Girlguiding, beginning while she cared for her learning-disabled daughter. Her leadership roles have included County Commissioner for Leicestershire, Chief Commissioner for Girlguiding Midlands, and Deputy Chief Guide for Girlguiding UK. She also contributes to local education and community projects, including co-founding a local community library and serving as a trustee for Melton Mencap.
The Lord-Lieutenant acts as the King’s representative in Leicester and Leicestershire, supporting civic life, ceremonies, and local organisations. Deputy Lieutenants assist in this work by representing the Lord-Lieutenant at events, citizenship ceremonies, remembrance services, and in the honours and awards process.
Lord-Lieutenant Mike Kapur OBE CStJ said: “The Lieutenancy has longstanding links with the uniformed services and with local community and voluntary organisations. These links are further enhanced following the appointments of these very deserving candidates.”
