Royal appointment for North Yorkshire businessman Barry Dodd

Barry Dodd, who is chairman of global graphic manufacturer GSM Group, based in Wetherby, will take up the post of Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for North Yorkshire from September 12 upon the retirement of Lord Crathorne.

The OBE and CBE recipient is set to take on the roll in addition to his responsibilities as chairman of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership and pro chancellor and chairman of Council at the University of Hull.

Mr Dodd said: "It is a huge honour to be appointed as Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for North Yorkshire; the most wonderful county in England.

"This is not a role anybody can apply for so the initial invitation letter from the Prime Minister came as a complete surprise.

"I look forward to working with my Deputy Lieutenants on a mission to bring the benefit of the amazing 'fairy dust' of the Monarchy to as many organisations as possible."

Mr Dodd, who turned his two-person start-up operation in Thirsk into a multi-national company with four manufacturing plants across the UK, has been appointed to the role by in his capacity as what the Local Enterprise Partnership describes as a "dedicated public servant and a gifted entrepreneur who has volunteered his time to a number of causes with the intention of shaping and developing the county’s economic future".

As Lord Lieutenant, Mr Dodd will be the Queen’s representative in North Yorkshire with responsibilities that include the presentation of decorations, responsibility for the organisation of official royal visits and the promotion of co-operation and good atmosphere in business and social spheres.

This honour follows on from the OBE he was awarded in 2006 for services to business and the economy, the CBE he was awarded in 2014 for services to the UK economy, and his subsequent appointment as Deputy Lieutenant.

The position of Lord-Lieutenant is non-political, unpaid and held until retirement.