The website of the Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex
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Mrs Susan Pyper: Lord-Lieutenant of West SussexMrs Susan Pyper

The current Lord-Lieutenant of West Sussex, Mrs Susan Pyper, was appointed by Her Majesty The Queen upon the retirement of Mr Hugh Wyatt CVO in 2008.

With a military and scientific background, Mrs Pyper has particular experience in health service management, having served as chairman of a number of hospital and primary care trusts in the county over the last twenty years.

She is also heavily involved with some twenty charities throughout West Sussex.

(The Lord-Lieutenant's full CV)

What does the Lieutenancy do?

The office of Lord-Lieutenant is centuries old, dating back to the reign of Henry VIII when the rôle was substantially a military one. Today, as an entirely unpaid voluntary structure comprising the Lord-Lieutenant, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, the High Sheriff and a number of Deputy Lieutenants, the lieutenancy provides a focus for the county's identity and the promotion of civic, commercial, voluntary and social activities within its borders.

The Lord-Lieutenant, whose primary duty is to uphold the dignity of the Crown, is Her Majesty's personal representative in the county and among her many functional duties are:

  • Arranging and accompanying Royal visits to West Sussex.
  • Presenting medals, Queen's Awards and other commendations.
  • Maintaining links with the armed forces and the emergency services.
  • Leading the magistracy and the Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace.
  • Advising on nominations for honours.
  • Conveying congratulatory messages from Her Majesty The Queen.

West Sussex is a busy lieutenancy where the Lord-Lieutenant, her deputies and the High Sheriff are constantly working for the benefit of the county and its people.

While male Lord-Lieutenants wear a military-style ceremonial uniform, complete with sword, female holders of the office have no formal uniform. Instead, on ceremonial occasions such as receiving Royal visitors, they wear the striking badge of office shown below. This enamelled badge depicts the Tudor rose surmounted by a crown, on a court bow of the lieutenancy colours, white and magenta.

High Sheriffs, both male and female, do wear a distinctive uniform for ceremonial occasions, although ladies (unlike their male counterparts) do not carry a sword.

Deputy lieutenants also wear a badge of office on similar occasions.