Queen names new royal representative
A new Lord-Lieutenant and two Deputy Lieutenants have been appointed for West Lothian.
Moira Niven MBE has been appointed as The Queen’s LordLieutenant for West Lothian to succeed Isobel Brydie CVO, MBE, who retired in September.
Ms Niven had a distinguished career in education with 38 years spent in public service working in local government, 20 of them in West Lothian.
Lord-Lieutenants are the representatives for the Crown for each county in the United Kingdom.
They carry out specific duties in their county, such as visiting individuals or couples celebrating a special anniversary, presenting decorations on behalf of the Queen when the recipient is unable to attend an investiture and other duties associated with The Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service and for Enterprise.
One of Ms Niven’s first tasks in her new role was the appointment of two Deputy Lieutenants for West Lothian, who are the Earl of Hopetoun and Reverend John Povey.
Lord Hopetoun was an engineer and project manager for 17 years before taking over at Hopetoun Estates, where he is chair of the rural land and property business.
He is also the chair of Historic Houses Scotland and a board member of Historic Houses.
Lord Hopetoun is also a member of the Queen’s bodyguard for Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers.
Rev John Povey is the minister at Kirk of Calder and has served since 1981.
He is also chair of the West Lothian Faith Group and has years of experience in chaplaincy in two primary schools and a secondary, as well as within the Air Training Corps.
Rev Povey also served recently at a national level on the General Assembly’s church and society committee and in the past on the parish education committee and the board of ministry.
Moira Niven said:“It is an honour to have been appointed LordLieutenant to represent Her Majesty The Queen in West Lothian.
“I am delighted to welcome Lord Hopetoun and Reverend John Povey to the Lieutenancy.
“We, along with the Vice Lord-Lieutenant George McNeill and the two other Deputy Lieutenants, William Denholm and Caroline Maclachlan, are all looking forward to meeting individuals, voluntary groups, businesses and public organisations to learn about their contributions to the West Lothian community.”
Lord Hopetoun added:“I am honoured to have been asked to become a deputy in the Lieutenancy.
“The prospect of meeting individuals and organisations who do so much for our communities and the chance to serve in West Lothian in this way is something that means a great deal to me and I am very grateful to the Lord-Lieutenant for the opportunity.”
Rev Povey added:“I am very happy indeed to have been invited to play a part in the work of the Lieutenancy in serving the communities of West Lothian.
“I look forward to meeting people within the county who make a positive impact and offering them encouragement and recognition in the good work that they do.”