Today Mr Mike Butterwick CBE assumes the appointment of His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for County Durham succeeding Dame Susan Snowdon DCVO who has held the appointment for the last 13 years. Mike commented:
“I feel deeply honoured and profoundly privileged to take up the role of His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for County Durham. To be entrusted with representing His Majesty The King across our historic county is both a humbling responsibility and a source of immense pride. I would like to express my sincere gratitude and deep admiration for my predecessor, Dame Susan Snowdon, for her extraordinary service. Her dedication, leadership and unwavering commitment have left an enduring legacy and one which I am committed to taking forward.
As I begin this new chapter, I do so with a clear sense of duty and purpose to serve His Majesty and also to celebrate all that makes our County so remarkable and unique. At the heart of this lies the countless volunteers who give their time, energy and compassion to strengthen and bring together our communities every single day. Their quiet dedication and selflessness are an example to us all.
Together with my talented team of Deputy Lieutenants, I am looking forward to listening, learning and building on our shared sense of community and civic pride.”
The first Lord Lieutenant of County Durham was appointed in 1552 and whilst the responsibilities of the office have changed immeasurably since then the Lord Lieutenant’s primary responsibility is to uphold the dignity of the Crown. The Lieutenancy also carries out a wide variety of duties working closely with local businesses, voluntary services and benevolent organisations and has strong links with the Nation’s Armed Forces. The Lieutenancy area covers the historic county of Durham including the Boroughs of Hartlepool, Darlington and parts of Stockton on Tees.
