The Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands has announced the appointment of ten new Deputy Lieutenants for the West Midlands.
Each of the new Deputy Lieutenants has already made a significant contribution to their local communities, national life, or both. Their backgrounds span community and charitable work, education, healthcare, major events and business – reflecting the breadth of talent and commitment found throughout the region.
The appointments bring the number of Deputy Lieutenants supporting the Lord-Lieutenant, as His Majesty The King’s personal representative in the West Midlands, to 77.
The duties of Deputy Lieutenants include supporting official royal visits, representing the Lieutenancy at citizenship ceremonies in each local authority area, supporting the Armed Forces — particularly reserve and cadet forces — and encouraging charitable and voluntary activity, alongside local initiatives that benefit communities.
They will also help promote nominations for the Honours system, The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, The King’s Award for Enterprise and the Young Active Citizen’s Award as well as assisting with a wide range of civic, cultural and social initiatives across the region’s local authorities of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton .
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.”
The new Deputy Lieutenants are: (full biographies appear below)
Amrik S Bhabra MBE (Coventry) – Founder and Strategic Director of ADECS Maple Limited and Chief Executive Officer of the Nishkam Civic Association.
Professor Simon Brake (Coventry) – Chief Innovation and Engagement Officer & Group Lead for Research and Development at SWUFT NHS Group at Warwick Medical School.
Henriette Breukelaar (Birmingham) – Regional Director for the West Midlands at the Canal and River Trust, and Trustee of the Birmingham Hospice.
Martin Brostoff (Solihull) – General Counsel at the Boparan Group and Chairman of Trustees for Birmingham Jewish Community Care.
Dr Sarb Clare (Sandwell) – Acute Medical Consultant who clinically led the transition to the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Birmingham and current President of the West Midlands Physicians Association.
Paula Deas MBE (Coventry) – Deputy Chief Executive and Operations Director of Coventry and Warwickshire Business Partnerships for Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council and former Chief Executive Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Paul Faulkner (Birmingham) – co-founder of his own advisory business, Element45, Vice-Chairman of Barclays Bank in the Midlands and former CEO of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.
Garry Perry (Sandwell) – Associate Director for Patient Experience at the Royal Wolverhampton and Walsall Healthcare Trust Group and former Mayor, Deputy Leader and Leader of Walsall Council.
Professor Zoe Radnor (Solihull) – Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic at Aston University having held the positions of Pro Vice-Chancellor Global Academic Hubs and Pro Vice-Chancellor for the College of Business and Social Sciences.
Nicola Turner MBE (Birmingham) – Chief Executive of United by 2022, the legacy charity born from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The new appointments bring the total of Deputy-Lieutenants in the West Midlands to 77. Deputy Lieutenants retire from their role at the age of 75. The number of DLs is proportional to the population of the Lieutenancy area, the West Midlands being the second largest lieutenancy in the country with a population of more than 3 million.
ENDS
NEW DEPUTY LIEUTENANT BIOGRAPHIES (where applicable PR contacts are detailed after each biography):
Amrik S Bhabra MBE: A values-driven leader with over 30 years’ experience across business, civic, charitable, and educational sectors, Amrik Bhabra has dedicated his career to community development, governance, and social cohesion. As Founder and Strategic Director of ADECS Maple and CEO of the Nishkam Civic Association, he leads initiatives focused on interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and organisational growth. He has built strong partnerships across civic, education, faith, and international sectors, advancing the Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation globally. Alongside executive leadership, he serves on several boards and trusts, championing inclusive leadership, community engagement, and public service. PR contacts: amrik.bhabra@ncauk.org , Ajit.singh@ncauk.org , Leec@cw-chamber.co.uk and news@cw-chamber.co.uk
Professor Simon Brake: Professor Simon Brake is an experienced leader working across higher education, healthcare, government, and academia, with expertise in strategy, organisational change, and improvement. He is Chief Innovation and Engagement Officer at Warwick Medical School and Group Lead for Research and Development at South Warwickshire University NHS Group, as well as holding national public appointments and non-executive roles in government. A long-term Coventry resident, Simon supports local and regional charities, particularly those focused on veterans in the West Midlands and nationally. He is an active community volunteer, serves in his local church choir. PR contact: S.brake@warwick.ac.uk
Henriette Breukelaar: HenrietteBreukelaar is Regional Director for the West Midlands at the Canal and River Trust, and Trustee of the Birmingham Hospice. Henriette’s working life started as a linguist working with migrant communities in the Netherlands. After moving to the UK some 25 years ago, Henriette’s career has been varied – from Partnerships Director at the Regional Development Agency to heading up Innovation Birmingham’s International Programmes; from marketing and business development in advanced engineering to Executive Director in a charity providing Housing with Care for older people. Before joining the Canal and River Trust, Henriette was CEO of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership. PR contact: Ms Sarah Rudy Sarah.Rudy@canalrivertrust.org.uk
Martin Brostoff: Martin Brostoff is a Birmingham-based solicitor with over 30 years’ experience advising international businesses in the automotive and food sectors. He is General Counsel at Boparan Group, a large family-owned international food business headquartered in the West Midlands. Previously, he spent nearly two decades at GKN plc holding senior legal roles across the UK, Europe and Asia, including time in Shanghai. He is Chair of Trustees of Birmingham Jewish Community Care and legal adviser to Boparan Charitable Trust. He combines senior corporate legal leadership with a long-standing commitment to community service and governance in the West Midlands. PR contact: steve.gracey@2sfg.com
Dr Sarb Clare: Dr Sarb Clare is an Acute Medical Consultant and nationally recognised leader in acute medicine, innovation, and public service. She clinically led the transition to the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in 2024 and has been recognised for her work addressing health inequalities. A pioneer in point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), she has driven its national adoption through teaching and educational resources. She also leads innovative care programmes, including EPICENTRE Hospital at Home. An advocate for leadership, equity, and women in medicine, she hosts a podcast, delivers talks including TEDx, and became the first female President of the West Midlands Physicians Association in 2024. PR contact: Mrs Vanya Rogers vanya.rogers@nhs.net
Paula Deas MBE: Paula Deas was born and raised in Coventry and has dedicated her career to driving regional economic growth through leadership roles in local government, business and education partnerships. As Chief Executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), she played a key role in securing major investment for infrastructure, skills and business support, helping establish one of the UK’s leading Growth Hubs. Paula continues to support growth and devolution across Coventry, Warwickshire and the West Midlands. She has also served as Chair of University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire Charity and is currently a Trustee of the Belgrade Theatre. PR contacts: Carl.Holloway@coventry.gov.uk,
Paul Faulkner: Paul Faulkner has enjoyed a distinguished career across banking, sport and business leadership. After beginning at MBNA Bank in the UK and US, he worked with the Lerner family and played a key role in the 2006 takeover of Aston Villa F.C., later serving as CEO until 2014. He also held senior roles with Nottingham Forest F.C. and as CEO of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. Paul now works with the Richardson family investment business, co-founded Element45, and serves as Vice-Chairman for Barclays Bank Midlands. Paul is a trustee of the ‘Kids’ Village’ charity and has previously served as a trustee for Cure Leukaemia, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and B:Muisic, as well as spending 8 years as Chairman of Sport Birmingham. He holds an MA in History from Cambridge University and an Hon Doc from Birmingham City University. PR contact: paulfaulkner78@gmail.com
Garry Perry: Garry Perry is an experienced public sector leader with over 25 years in the NHS and extensive civic leadership in Walsall. He has served as Mayor, Deputy Leader and Leader of Walsall Council, supporting community cohesion, tackling inequality and promoting civic pride. In the NHS, he is Associate Director for Patient Experience across Royal Wolverhampton and Walsall Healthcare NHS Trusts, leading patient experience, volunteering innovation and community engagement, with nationally recognised service excellence. A Fellow of Royal Society of Arts, he is an advocate for veterans, vulnerable and voluntary sector, focused on inclusion and wellbeing across the West Midlands. PR contact: Ms Tina Faulkner tina.faulkner1@nhs.net
Professor Zoe Radnor: Professor Zoe Radnor is Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic at Aston University having held the positions of Pro Vice-Chancellor Global Academic Hubs and Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University’s College of Business and Social Sciences. Previously, Zoe was Provost at The University of Law, Pro Vice-Chancellor Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Strategy and Planning at City, University of London and inaugural Dean for University of Leicester School of Business. Her research focuses on performance and process improvement in public services, with over 100 publications and extensive government and healthcare projects on lean methodologies. She is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and British Academy of Management, and a Principal Fellow Higher Education Academy. She also serves on boards including the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. Stanford/Elsevier top 2% scientist. Since 2022 Zoe has been named in the Stanford/Elsevier top 2% Scientists in the World. PR contact: Ms Nicola Jones n.jones6@aston.ac.uk
Nicola Turner MBE: Nicola Turner is a purpose-led leader with a strong commitment to Birmingham and the West Midlands, spanning senior roles across the public, education and not-for-profit sectors. As Chief Executive of United by 2022, the legacy charity of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, she has led programmes delivering over £20 million in community grants, mobilising thousands of volunteers and creating opportunities for young people. Previously, she held senior leadership roles at the Office for Students where she led a £70 million portfolio and was instrumental in establishing Degree Apprenticeships across England—opening new pathways into skilled careers for tens of thousands of people. At Aston University, she transformed and led the award-winning Careers Service and a flagship programme that found 16,000 young people their first jobs. PR contact: Ms Jess McCallister jess.mccallister@unitedby2022.com
For further information:
West Midlands Lieutenancy:
Kate Canty Clerk to the West Midlands Lieutenancy.
Tel – 0121 222 5041; Mobile – 07970 018240
David Clarke DL (PR contact for West Midlands Lieutenancy)
Mobile: 07808 735255
david-c@clarke-associates.co.uk
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.
| Issued on behalf of: |
| West Midlands Lieutenancy 11 Waterloo Street Birmingham B2 5TB www.wmlieutenancy.org For further information: David Clarke DL Mobile – 07808 735255 Email – david-c@clarke-associates.co.uk Kate Canty, Clerk to the West Midlands Lieutenancy. Tel – 0121 222 5041; Mobile – 07970 018240 Email – clerk@wmlieutenancy.org |
Nishkam Media Centre 