Welcome to the website of The Surrey Lieutenancy

Here you can find information and updates on the role and activities of the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, and the ways in which the Lieutenancy supports and impacts on the life, business and communities of our county.

• The Lord-Lieutenant
• Roles and History
• Latest News

The role and mission of the Surrey Lieutenancy is to serve the Sovereign and connect the communities of the county. This brings the Lieutenancy two core responsibilities: 

– To uphold the dignity and position of the Crown by assisting and representing it in all aspects of the life of Surrey.

– To support the values the Crown represents by celebrating, inspiring and promoting the vibrancy of county life.

Neelam Dharni Devesher MBE is the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, representing His Majesty The King in the county.

She brings to the role experience as a Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey and more than 35 years of public and community leadership across government, business and the voluntary sector. She holds an MBA.

Neelam is Chair of the Community Foundation for Surrey, which channels funding and support to grassroots organisations tackling deprivation and need across the county.

In Neelam’s own words:

“I’ve spent my working life alongside communities, in government, in business, and as a volunteer, and if there is one thing that experience has taught me, it is that people are at their best when they feel both trusted and needed. That is the idea I keep coming back to: rights and responsibilities go hand in hand.

I am particularly proud of what the Community Foundation for Surrey does every day for people who need support most, supporting charities and community organisations to help the people they work with become more independent, resilient and able to build better lives for themselves.

Surrey is a wonderful county, full of different faiths, cultures, generations and stories, all woven together. As Lord Lieutenant, I want to spend my time out in those communities: meeting people, listening especially to young people, and championing the volunteers and organisations who quietly hold Surrey together.

This role is about connecting and convening, bringing people together, putting a spotlight on communities and issues across the county, and making sure everyone in Surrey feels that they belong.”

Neelam is guided by a longstanding commitment to unity and the values of fairness, respect, liberty, responsibility and the rule of law. She regards humility, discretion and impartiality as central to the role.

Neelam has a son, a daughter and four grandchildren.

Mrs Neelam Dharni Devesher MBE

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey

10th September 2026