Five new Deputy Lieutenants have been formally recognised at a ceremony in County Hall.
The five were all commissioned during 2025 by the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur OBE CStJ, in honour of their exceptional service to the local community.
Among the newly commissioned Deputy Lieutenants is Lieutenant Colonel Sir Anthony Charles Richards KCVO, who spent 23 years working closely with Queen Elizabeth II as Equerry and Deputy Master of the Household, having previously served the Duke of Edinburgh in a similar role.
Also appointed is Rob Nixon CBE QPM, who recently retired as Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police after a career spanning more than three decades. He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in 2020. He became Temporary Chief Constable in 2022 and was later formally confirmed in the position.
Kevin Buchanan is the Group CEO of Leicestershire-based freight company Pall-Ex, which became the first pallet network to receive the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award for its support of the Armed Forces community. More recently, Kevin joined a county-wide partnership working to establish a Homelessness Charter and Covenant for Leicestershire and Rutland.
Henrietta Chubb served as High Sheriff of Leicestershire in 2023/24 during which she established the Leicestershire High Sheriff’s Fund, raising more than £75,000 for local causes. She is a leading member of the Worshipful Company of Grocers, becoming one of the first two women elected to its Court in its 600-year history. She holds a number of voluntary roles, including President of South West Leicestershire Scouts, patron of CleanupUK and trustee positions supporting community organisations across the county.
Sally Illsley has four decades of voluntary service with Girlguiding, which began during her years as a full-time carer 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 has also served as a school governor and trustee of Melton Mencap, co-founded her local community library, and continues to hold senior roles with Girlguiding and the Leicestershire and Rutland County Nursing Association.
The Lieutenancy has enjoyed longstanding links with the uniformed services and with local community and voluntary organisations of Leicester and Leicestershire. These links are further enhanced following the appointments of these very deserving candidates.
Person:Mike Kapur OBE CStJ, Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire
The Lord-Lieutenant is the King’s representative in the city and county, and the office plays a vital role in celebrating and supporting the diverse communities of Leicester and Leicestershire.
Deputy Lieutenants help fulfil this responsibility by representing the Lord-Lieutenant at civic engagements, supporting Citizenship Ceremonies, attending remembrance events, and assisting with the honours and awards process for local organisations.