Appointment of Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey from September 2026

Mrs Neelam Dharni Devesher MBE DL appointed as His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey from September 2026

The King has been pleased to appoint Mrs Neelam Dharni Devesher, MBE, DL, as His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Surrey on the retirement of Mr Michael More-Molyneux, CVO, on 3rd September 2026.

Neelam brings a long and distinguished record of public service and voluntary leadership to the role. A former senior public sector leader, she has dedicated her career and voluntary work to strengthening community cohesion and integration, expanding opportunity, and improving outcomes for those facing deprivation and disadvantage.

She currently serves as Chair of the Community Foundation for Surrey, Chair of the Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum, and Chair of the Surrey Police Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel. Through these roles, she has championed fairness, accountability and inclusion, leading initiatives that support vulnerable communities and strengthen opportunity across the county.

Neelam is deeply committed to serving all of Surrey’s communities. She is passionate about promoting inclusion and equality of opportunity, and about upholding the values of fairness, respect, liberty and responsibility. She believes that rights and responsibilities go hand in hand, and that strong communities are built on shared values, mutual trust and active civic engagement.

As Lord-Lieutenant, she will build on the strong foundations laid by her predecessor, continuing to celebrate and strengthen Surrey’s civic pride and community spirit while supporting His Majesty’s role across the county.

Neelam 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.

I would like to pay tribute to Michael More-Molyneux CVO and thank him sincerely 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.

Surrey is a county defined by its generosity, resilience and strong sense of community. Throughout my public and voluntary service, I have believed that fairness, inclusion and responsibility are the foundations of confident and thriving communities. I am committed to serving all of Surrey’s communities and to celebrating the remarkable individuals and organisations who contribute so much to our civic life.

I look forward to building on Michael’s legacy and to serving Surrey with dedication, integrity and pride.”

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

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