CORNWALL LIEUTENANCY PRESS RELEASE
Edward Bolitho follows in his grandfather’s
footsteps in becoming the Lord-Lieutenant of
Cornwall
30 August 2011
The new Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall has been confirmed as Colonel
Edward Bolitho, the current High Sheriff of Cornwall, who will be following
in the footsteps of his grandfather when he takes up his new role in mid
September.
The Lord-Lieutenant is Her Majesty The Queen's personal representative
in Cornwall, with the prestigious appointment made by The Queen on the
advice of the Prime Minister. Although the role is a historic one, today’s
Lord-Lieutenants fulfill a wide range of duties. These include the coordination of Royal visits, presenting certain honours and awards on
behalf of The Queen, promoting the honours system and supporting the
Regular Armed Forces and the Reserves. They also encourage the
voluntary and charitable sectors, as well as taking part in citizenship
ceremonies and chairing the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committees which
appoint magistrates.
Edward Bolitho replaces Lady Mary Holborow who is about to retire after
seventeen years as Cornwall’s and the Isles of Scilly’s Lord-Lieutenant.
His grandfather Sir Edward Bolitho served as Cornwall’s Lord-Lieutenant
between 1936 and 1962 and Colonel Bolitho, who has been a Deputy
Lieutenant since 2008, is looking forward to his new role.
“Lady Mary Holborow has done an outstanding job as the LordLieutenant of Cornwall and it is a very great honour for me to have
been asked to succeed her” he said. “My family have been involved
in the life of Cornwall for centuries and, since returning to
Cornwall after 20 years service in the Army, I have hugely enjoyed
being part of the community again.
“For the past thirteen years I have been running family businesses
in west Cornwall and been involved in various business and
charity organisations here. During my time as Lord-Lieutenant I
shall try to continue Lady Mary’s exceptional work as Her Majesty
The Queen’s representative in Cornwall and to do what I can to
help the many different aspects of Cornish life to prosper. I
greatly look forward to the fun and the challenges of the years
ahead. “
55 year old Colonel Bolitho, who was born in Penzance and studied at
Pembroke College, Cambridge, returned to Cornwall in 1998 after a career
in the Army. He joined the Grenadier Guards in 1978, serving with the
regiment in numerous parts of the world and commanding the 1st
Battalion between 1993 and 1995 during which time he was awarded the
OBE.
Since returning to Cornwall he has been running Bolitho Estates, a family
owned business which develops, renovates, and leases out farms, houses
and commercial properties. It also manages various leisure activities,
including Trewidden Gardens, Trengwainton Garden (in partnership with
the National Trust) and holiday properties and is closely involved in
conservation matters. He is also Chairman of the SW Region of the
Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and is involved in many
local activities, including the Penzance Sea Cadets, the Penwith Farming
Forum and the Royal Cornwall Show.
“I am delighted to be handing over to Edward Bolitho, who will be
following in the footsteps of his grandfather” said Lady Mary
Holborow. “We are all lucky to have a Cornishman to succeed me
as Lord-Lieutenant, a role which he will fill admirably”.
Colonel Bolitho is married to Alexandra and the couple have three
children, twin daughters and a son, who are all enthusiastic Cornish
Pirates’ supporters.
ends
Notes to editors
For further information or to arrange interviews with Colonel Bolitho
please contact Trisha Hewitt, Media Relations Manager for Cornwall
Council on 01872 322186