Surrey Community Leader To Become The County’s New Lord-Lieutenant

Published on: 7 Mar, 2026
Updated on: 8 Mar, 2026

Surrey’s next Lord-Lieutenant – Mrs Neelam Devesher

Mrs Neelam Devesher, a prominent Surrey community leader, has been appointed by the King as the county’s next Lord-Lieutenant, succeeding Michael More-Molyneux on his retirement this coming September.

A resident of Oxshott, Mrs Devesher is chair of the Community Foundation for Surrey, chair of the Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum and chair of the Surrey Police Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel.

A statement from the Surrey Lieutenancy office says: “Through these roles, Neelam has championed fairness, accountability and inclusion, leading initiatives that support vulnerable communities and strengthen opportunity across the county.”

Mrs Devesher said: “I am deeply honoured and humbled. To serve our county in this role is both a privilege and a profound responsibility.”

Declaring her commitment to inclusion and equality of opportunity, she added: “Surrey is a county defined by its generosity, resilience and strong sense of community. Throughout my public and voluntary service, I have believed that fairness, inclusion and responsibility are the foundations of confident and thriving communities.

“I am committed to serving all of Surrey’s communities and to celebrating the remarkable individuals and organisations who contribute so much to our civic life.”

She added: “I would like to pay tribute to Michael More-Molyneux CVO and thank him sincerely for his outstanding service to Surrey. He has served the county with distinction, dedication and integrity, and I am grateful for the strong foundations he leaves behind.”

The role of the Lord-Lieutenant is to serve as the personal representative of the Monarch within the county. The role is apolitical, unpaid, and focuses on connecting the Sovereign with the local community.

The statement from the Surrey Lieutenancy office goes on: “Neelam brings a long and distinguished record of public service and voluntary leadership to the role. A former senior public sector leader, she has dedicated her career and voluntary work to strengthening community cohesion and integration, expanding opportunity, and improving outcomes for those facing deprivation and disadvantage.”

Mrs Devesher has a son and a daughter, and four grandchildren. She was made an MBE last year in the King’s Birthday Honours List.