Neelam Dharni Devesher MBE DL has officially taken over as Surrey’s Lord-Lieutenant, succeeding Michael More-Molyneux CVO, who retired from the role on September 3.

Ms Devesher has held a number of senior public sector and voluntary roles and has worked on issues including community cohesion, integration and support for people facing deprivation and disadvantage.

She currently serves as chair of several organisations including the Community Foundation for Surrey, Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum and Surrey Police Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel.

Through these roles, she has been involved in work supporting local communities, scrutinising public services and addressing issues affecting minority ethnic communities and people facing disadvantage across the county.

As Lord-Lieutenant, she will represent the King in Surrey and support the work of the Royal Family in the county. She will also attend civic and ceremonial occasions and recognise individuals and organisations for their contribution to Surrey.

Ms Devesher said: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to be appointed as His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey. To serve our county in this role is both a privilege and a profound responsibility.”

She thanked Mr More-Molyneux 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,” she said.

“I look forward to meeting people across Surrey, supporting the work of the Lieutenancy and recognising those who contribute to our communities. I will do my best to serve the county with dedication and integrity,” she added.

“Surrey is a county with many different communities, and throughout my public and voluntary service I have seen the contribution that individuals and organisations make to county life.”

Ms Devesher lives in Oxshott. She has a son and a daughter, and four grandchildren.