Five Deputies Join Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis, signed the Commissions of five new Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Bedfordshire on 1 September 2018.

The new Deputy Lieutenants are:


• Mr Philip Keith FOTHERGILL

• Mrs Emma Carolyn Brayn GARRETT

• Mr Mark Glyn HARDY

• Mrs Colette McKEAVENEY

• Mr Charles Edward Samuel WHITBREAD

Deputy Lieutenants assist the Lord-Lieutenant and Vice Lord-Lieutenant in their work to support voluntary and community activities in Bedfordshire.  They also participate in civic and social activities, Citizenship Ceremonies and Armed Forces events.

Bedfordshire’s establishment is currently 30 Deputy Lieutenants.

Short Biographies of the new Deputy Lieutenants:

Mr Philip Keith FOTHERGILL

• 2016 – 2017             Broadcaster and Chairman of MKFM Radio serving Beds, Herts & Bucks

• 2015 – 2016             Presenter of Biggles FM, Biggleswade

• 2010 – present         Managing Director of TVUK video production (member of Beds Chamber of Commerce)

• 1988 - 1993              Presenter of In-Vision and Producer for Anglia Television Ltd

• 1981 – 1988             Programme Director for Chiltern Radio PLC

Mrs Emma Carolyn Brayn GARRETT

• 2017 – present         Founder of Soupfest, Bedfordshire Business Woman of the Year, entrant in the Good Food Guide

• 2014 – Present         Founder/Owner of Pavilion in the Park, President of Bedfordshire Business Women, Small Business of the Year 2016, Pavilion in the Park, Runner up for Silver Heart Award 2016, Pavilion in the Park and Kiosk at the Park, Highly Commended for best Newcomer in the Bedfordshire Food and Drink Awards 2015, Self Employed Business Woman of the Year 2013/2014

• 2012 – Present         Director/Owner of Kiosk at the Park, Social Media Strategist, FSB Business Awards Finalist

• 2010 – 2012             Social Media Strategist for The Product Marketing Company

• 2010 – 2011             Careers Administrator for Dame Alice Harpur School, Bedford

• 2003 – 2008             Founder/Press Officer of Culture Vultures

• 1999 – 2001             Volunteer for Home Start UK and Volunteer Fundraiser for University Hospital, Southampton

• 1996 – 1997             PA to Head of Physiotherapy, Griffith University

• 1993 – 1996             Researcher and Presenter, Editor of The Big Issue

Mr Mark Glyn HARDY

• 2018                         Mitsubishi Volunteer of the Year awarded by the Rugby Football Union in East Midlands

• 2015 – present         Trustee/Director at Ouzel Valley Academy Trust (3 schools in Leighton Buzzard)

• 2013 – present         Community Committee Member of Kids Out Charity

• 2011– present          Vice Chairman and Trustee of British Safety Council promoting H&S in the County and Nationwide

• 1993 – present         President of Leighton Buzzard Rugby Football Club

• 1991 – 1993             Chairman of Leighton Buzzard Rugby Football Club

Mrs Colette McKEAVENEY

• 1995 – present         Director of Age Concern Luton, formerly as a volunteer and as a paid member of staff for the last 12 years

• 2013 – present         Member of Farley Big Local, Luton

• 2014 – 2017             Trustee of South Beds Dial a Ride

• 2011 – 2017             Trustee at Luton Accommodation and Move on Project, Luton

• 2010 – 2017             Trustee at Luton Community Housing

• 2000 – 2008             Chair of Capacity Building and Community Engagement Workstream of Marsh Farm New Deal for Communities, Luton

• 1994 – 1996             Trustee at Body Positive, Luton

• 1990 – 1994             Volunteer Facilitator of Carer Support Group in a Care Home, Luton

• 1986 – 1999             Trustee/Vice Chair/Chair/ Treasurer of Vesper, Luton

• 1983 – 1989             Member of PTA, Thomas Whitbread School, Houghton Regis

• 1979 – 1983             Trustee of Playgroup, Dunstable 

Mr Charles Edward Samuel WHITBREAD

• 2016 – 2017             High Sheriff of Bedfordshire

• 2008 – 2015             Chair, Greensand Ridge Local Action Group

• 2008 – present         Director, Shuttleworth Trust

• 2006 – present         Trustee, Friends of Elstow Abbey

• 2006 – present         Committee Member, Cardington Cople and Eastcotts Charity

• 2005 – present         Committee Member, Southill PCC

• 2005 – present         Committee Member, Friends of Southill Church

• 2005 – present         Chair, Wixamtree Trust

Further Information

The office of Lord Lieutenant is unpaid.  The role is to look after arrangements of the monarch within the county. Find out more about the Lord Lieutenant, and the work they all do.