THE CHAIR of York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership is to be appointed Lord-Lieutenant for North Yorkshire.

Barry Dodd CBE DL is also chair of council at the University of Hull, and the Global Service and Manufacturing Group (GSM Group) and its subsidiary companies.

He said: "It is a huge honour to be appointed as Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for North Yorkshire; the most wonderful county in England.

"This is not a role anybody can apply for so the initial invitation letter from the Prime Minister came as a complete surprise. I look forward to working with my Deputy Lieutenants on a mission to bring the benefit of the amazing 'fairy dust' of the Monarchy to as many organisations as possible.”

As Lord Lieutenant, Mr Dodd will be the Queen’s representative in North Yorkshire with responsibilities that include the presentation of decorations, responsibility for the organisation of official royal visits and the promotion of co-operation and good atmosphere in business and social spheres.

This honour follows on from the OBE he was awarded in 2006 for services to business and the economy, the CBE he was awarded in 2014 for services to the UK economy, and his subsequent appointment as Deputy Lieutenant.

Mr Dodd will be replacing Lord Crathorne who will be retiring from the post of Lord-Lieutenant on September 12.