Becoming a DL

It was quite something to be invited to become a Deputy Lieutenant of Somerset by Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant, @MohammedSaddiq . And the imposter syndrome is pretty strong, especially when I see the calibre and background of the people I'll be joining. So, I wanted to jot down some brief reflections about why I accepted.

Our 2012/13 Flood Appeal at Somerset Community Foundation attracted more than ￡1.5m in donations, but to be honest, the appeal wasn’t going so well until HRH Prince Charles made a well publicised visit to Muchelney. That was the turning point that led, literally overnight, to boxes of cheques cascading through our door.

In other words – and whether we approve or not – the Monarchy undoubtedly has tremendous influence. Mohammed is the King’s representative in Somerset, and so what the Lieutenancy does, matters. I believe it is an opportunity to highlight, promote and support the things that matter most to our communities, and I know this is important to Mohammed from the time I spent with him visiting charities in Taunton earlier this year.

In particular there are three connected areas that I hope, as a DL, I can help with:

Community: We frequently underestimate what communities are capable of doing by and for themselves, particularly those that are labelled as deprived, left behind or marginalised. At best, we miss opportunities to create positive and lasting change, and build strong, cohesive, connected communities; at worst, it is harmful to define these communities solely by what they lack and what’s wrong. As Cormac Russell says, we cannot know what they lack until we see what they have. While we have recognisable voices for business, voluntary and public ‘sectors’, I hope the Lieutenancy can play a role advocating for 'community' itself.

Charities: Obviously charities come in all shapes and sizes. Many exist at a very grassroots level and are themselves manifestations of healthy communities. Beyond this, though, charities play a vital role in delivering essential services, tailored to local circumstances, and often run by amazingly creative and entrepreneurial leaders, operating in the space between community and public services. In Somerset our local charities, and the challenges they are tackling, are largely hidden and often misunderstood. I hope I can help the Lieutenancy celebrate and support their efforts in tackling 'big city' challenges in our towns and villages.

Philanthropy: There is a rich seam of philanthropy that runs through our history, but it is not equitably distributed. Places like Somerset do not have the same access to the benefits of philanthropy as our large urban centres. This is very close to my day job of course, and I need to be mindful of the responsibilities that go with being a DL. However, I do think the Lieutenancy can play a unique role in celebrating philanthropy in all its shapes and forms in Somerset, and in doing so, demonstrate how, ultimately, we all benefit from what philanthropy can bring to our communities.

If I take my professional hat off for a moment, there is one further, more personal, reason. My brother and I were fortunate to enjoy a safe and secure childhood with my Dad working hard as a local bank manager, while my Mum stayed at home raising us. So far, so very Middle England! However, what I know of their respective upbringings is a very different story and they are not mine to share. Suffice to say that they both worked incredibly hard from an early age to overcome (what we would recognise today as) poverty, hardship and pain to build a better life. If my appointment as a DL also means they will see they did a half decent job raising me, then its worth it for that alone. This one's for them!