About the Lord-Lieutenant
Personal profile
Mr Andrew Blackman CStJ was appointed to be His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for East Sussex on 18 August 2021. A former art dealer, he previously served as High Sheriff.
He has been:
- an ambassador for the Sussex Community Foundation
- a committee member of the Order of St Richard, which recognises the contribution of lay people in the service of the church
- a former chair of the Friends of Hastings Country Park
- a former trustee of the Peasmarsh Chamber Music Festival
He has also sat on the Board of Appeals for St Michael’s Hospice and the Conquest Hospital.
Mr Blackman lives in Fairlight, near Hastings, with his husband Richard Smith.
The role of the Lord-Lieutenant
The Lord-Lieutenant represents the Sovereign in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove.
This includes the administrative areas of:
- East Sussex County Council
- Brighton and Hove City Council
- Lewes, Wealden and Rother District Councils
- Eastbourne and Hastings Borough Councils
His duties include:
- looking after members of the Royal Family and Heads of State when they pay official visits to East Sussex. For more information, see Royal Visits
- chairing the County’s Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace and their appointment (now as joint chairman for East and West Sussex and Surrey). To find out more, visit Magistracy
- presenting honours on behalf of the Crown, and involvement in the honours system
- presenting other awards on behalf of the Crown, such as the King’s Award for Voluntary Service and the King’s Award for Enterprise
- representing HM The King and other members of the Royal Family at local events
- supporting local businesses, public sector organisations, schools and universities, emergency services, charities and community organisations
- leading his team of Deputy Lieutenants county-wide
- Keeper of the Rolls in East Sussex and supporting The Keep, the county archive hub. He is President of the Friends of the Keep Archives.
- supporting a charity mentoring scheme which helps charities to develop sustainability
Supporting the Armed Forces
The Lieutenancy maintains close relationships with the Armed Forces and is regularly briefed on activity. This reflects the ancient office’s original responsibility for maintaining order and the defence of the county.
The Lord-Lieutenant is a Vice-President of the South East Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (SERFCA), regularly attending ceremonies and meetings.
Each year outstanding reservists and cadets are awarded Lord-Lieutenant’s Meritorious Certificates, and two or three cadets are selected as Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets to assist the Lord-Lieutenant in some of his official duties. Presentations are made every autumn at the Lord-Lieutenant’s SERFCA Awards Ceremony.
Armed Forces Day is held every year in late June. It is a chance to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from currently serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets. Events take place in towns across the county, many of them attended by the Lord-Lieutenant or a Deputy Lieutenant.
How to address the Lord-Lieutenant
To find out how to address the Lord-Lieutenant in person and in writing, visit Etiquette and dress.
How the Lord-Lieutenant is appointed
HM The King appoints Lord-Lieutenants. A wide range of citizens in the county are consulted and the Prime Minister advises the Sovereign on possible appointees.
The role is unpaid and entirely non-political.
Find out more about the process for the appointment of Lord-Lieutenants | GOV.UK
A Lord-Lieutenant serves until the age of 75.