The Lord-Lieutenant

Edward Harley CBE is the Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire and was appointed in September 2020.  The Lord-Lieutenant is His Majesty The King’s personal representative in the county and will represent His Majesty at events in Herefordshire.  This will include presenting awards to organisations, such as The King's Award for Enterprise (KAE) and The King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS); and to individuals, for example, The British Empire Medal (BEM).  The Lord-Lieutenant is responsible for the preparation of programmes for Royal Visits to Herefordshire and for advising on local honours nominations.

The post of Lord-Lieutenant is non-political and is unpaid.  The Lord-Lieutenant appoints Deputy Lieutenants to support him in the county, and appoints one of these as Vice Lord-Lieutenant.  Collectively they are referred to as the Lieutenancy.  The age of retirement is 75 years.

Edward and generations of his family have lived in Herefordshire, in particular the area of Brampton Bryan, in the north of the county.  Edward is married to Victoria and they have four daughters.  Victoria is herself involved in many organisations in Herefordshire.  She is on the Cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee and has recently retired as a Commissioner of Historic England.

After Cambridge University, Edward’s professional career was spent at Cazenove and Co. where he was a partner. He was a founding trustee of The Royal Foundation and until 2026. He is the Receiver General of the Duchy of Cornwall and member of the Prince’s Council. In addition, he was the Chairman of the Duke of Cornwall’s Benevolent Fund. He was Chairman of the Acceptance in Lieu Panel after ten years and a trustee of the Churches Conservation Trust. He has been involved in many cultural organisations such as Tate Britain Council, the Courtauld and he is a former President of the Historic Houses Association. He is a trustee of a number of historic houses including Burghley and he is on the Court of the Goldsmith’s Livery Company and a Vice President of the National Churches Trust. He is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Worcester, a lay Canon Emeritus of Hereford Cathedral and a Commander of the Order of St John. 

He was advanced to CBE in the 2023 Birthday Honours.

In Herefordshire, he is Patron or President of a number of organisations, see list below.

• ABF - Herefordshire - President

• Friends of Hereford Cathedral - Joint President

• Friends of Herefordshire Archiving (HARC) - Patron

• Friends of Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum - Patron

• Friends of Herefordshire Museums and Arts - Patron

• Hereford and Worcester Cadet Force Charitable Trust - Joint Patron

• Herefordshire and Worcestershire Magistrates Association - Joint Patron

• Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust - Vice President

• Herefordshire Community Foundation - Joint Patron 

• Herefordshire Historic Churches Trust - Joint President

• Herefordshire Music Fund - Patron 

• Herefordshire Wildlife Trust - President

• Mappa Mundi - Patron

• Music in Quiet Places - Joint Patron

• NMITE - Patron

• The Oxford Arms Kington - Patron

• Royal British Legion – Herefordshire - Patron

• SSAFA – Herefordshire - President

• St John Ambulance - Hon Commander

• South Marches District Scouts - Patron

• Vennture - Joint Patron

• Victoria County History - Patron

• West Midlands Reserve Force and Cadet Association (WMRFCA) - Vice President