During this year’s Black History Month, with its theme of Reclaiming the Narrative, Lord Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire, Professor Veronica Pickering, shares her vision, emphasising culture, community, cancer and wellbeing, commonwealth, and climate – priorities which align closely to those of Nottingham CityCare

On 2 March 2024, King Charles III appointed Professor Veronica Pickering, HAC, MBS as His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire. She is the first woman to hold this position in Nottinghamshire.

As the sovereign’s personal representative in the county, Lord-Lieutenants are entrusted with upholding the dignity and integrity of their office.

Beyond royal duties, they play a vital role in promoting and supporting voluntary and charitable organisations, as well as engaging with the county’s business, urban, rural, and social life.

The responsibilities of a Lord-Lieutenant include:

• Organising and overseeing visits by members of the Royal Family and accompanying royal visitors
• Representing The King at local ceremonies, including presenting honours, medals, and awards
• Encouraging and evaluating nominations for honours
• Liaising with local units of the armed forces, including their reserve and cadet forces.

They serve voluntarily, assisted by a Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants.

Born in Kenya, Professor Pickering has had a distinguished career in the UK as a social entrepreneur, social worker, children’s guardian, and international child protection consultant for the United Nations and various non-governmental organisations across Africa, supporting vulnerable individuals and their families.

In 2022, she was honoured by the President of Kenya with the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) for her service to the country.

A dedicated advocate for strengthening communities, the arts and wildlife conservation, the Lord-Lieutenant serves as a trustee of the RSPB and Nottinghamshire YMCA (Robin Hood Group), and as an ambassador for the Woodland Trust.

In 2018 she was the first black person in the UK to be appointed as an Honorary Air Commodore for the County of Nottingham Squadron and a Royal Air Force Ambassador for the UK RAF Museums. Posts she still holds.

She is also a visiting professor at Lincoln International Business School. Additionally, she served as the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire in 2023-2024.

In a conversation with Anita Davies, a non-executive director at Nottingham CityCare, the city’s largest NHS provider of community health services, and a deputy lieutenant for Nottinghamshire, Professor Pickering shared her vision for her tenure.

She said: "I will be supporting His Majesty the King's five key priorities, culture, community, cancer and wellbeing, commonwealth, and climate, and I am pleased that these align closely with the priorities of Nottingham CityCare and the wider NHS.

"I aim to highlight and celebrate the work of our people through our charities, community groups, businesses, and individuals across Nottinghamshire.

“We will do this through the individual honours system, the King's Award for Voluntary Service, and the King's Award for Enterprise, and many other awards”.

“I am committed to strengthening the bond between the monarchy and the public and actively contributing to the growth and well-being of our local communities.”

To find out more about the role of Lord Lieutenant visit www.lordlieutenant.co.uk