Who Is The New Lord-Lieutenant For West Yorkshire Adeeba Malik?

There’s some big news for West Yorkshire. A new person has been chosen to be the King's personal representative in the county, and it’s a really exciting appointment that's making history. Professor Adeeba Malik CBE is set to become the next Lord-Lieutenant for West Yorkshire. She’ll be taking over from the current Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Ed Anderson, when he steps down. This isn't just a standard handover; it’s a landmark moment for the whole country.

So what exactly is a lord-lieutenant?

It sounds like a title from a history book, right? And it is a very old role, but it's still super important today. Think of a Lord-Lieutenant as the King's eyes and ears in a county. Since the monarch can’t be everywhere at once, they appoint someone they trust to represent them at a local level. Their job is pretty varied. They help arrange royal visits, present medals and awards on behalf of the King, and lead the local community on big occasions. Essentially, they are the face of the monarchy in their area, connecting the Royal Family with the local people and celebrating the best of their county. It’s a massive honour and a huge responsibility, given to people who have a long history of doing great things for their community. The person chosen for this appointment is always someone deeply committed to public service.

Meet Adeeba Malik, West Yorkshire's new representative

Professor Adeeba Malik is no stranger to helping people. With over 35 years of experience working in public and voluntary sectors, her career shows a real dedication to making a difference. She actually started out as a teacher, before moving to the QED Foundation back in 1992. Today, she’s the Deputy Chief Executive there, an organisation that works to improve the social and economic lives of disadvantaged communities. Her work has always been about supporting the community. This isn't her first time in a major county role either. Adeeba was previously the High Sheriff of West Yorkshire. The role of High Sheriff is another ancient one, nowadays focusing on supporting the justice system and emergency services.

She said about her appointment:

"I am deeply honoured to be appointed the next Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire by His Majesty The King. It is a privilege to serve as the monarch's personal representative in our county, with its population of nearly 2.4 million. I'd like to extend my gratitude to the outgoing Lord Lieutenant Mr. Ed Anderson CBE for his remarkable service and dedication, and to my family & friends, QED Foundation and the West Yorkshire community for their unwavering support.

"With over 35 years of dedication to this county, I am committed to continuing my service. As Lord Lieutenant, my key responsibilities will include upholding the dignity of the Crown, hosting Royal Visits, presenting awards, supporting the armed forces, and engaging in civic and community events. I see this role as a chance to celebrate and unite people, reflecting the diversity and vibrancy of West Yorkshire. I also welcome the opportunity to work with our excellent team of Deputy Lieutenants.

"I look forward to meeting the people of West Yorkshire and serving with integrity and respect. Public service is about strengthening the bonds that make our county and country stronger. I'm excited to embark on this new chapter and serve West Yorkshire with pride."

A truly historic appointment

Here’s the part that makes this news so special. When Adeeba Malik takes up the role, she will be the first woman of Asian heritage ever to be appointed as a Lord-Lieutenant anywhere in the UK. This is a huge moment. It’s a brilliant reflection of modern Britain and a significant milestone for representation in public office. For communities across West Yorkshire and the wider UK, seeing a woman of Asian heritage in such a prestigious role is incredibly inspiring. This appointment sends a powerful message about inclusion and the value of diverse leadership. It’s a ground-breaking step that highlights the importance of social cohesion, something Professor Adeeba Malik has championed throughout her career. She is officially the first woman to break this particular barrier, a fact that will be remembered for years to come.

A significant CV

When you look at the different roles Adeeba has held, it’s clear why she was chosen. She has a massive amount of experience in different areas, holding both ministerial appointments and non-ministerial appointments at local and national levels. It’s quite the list. Here are just a few of her current public service roles:

• Independent Member of the House of Lords Appointments Commission – this group helps to select people who will sit in the House of Lords.
• Member of the Community and Voluntary Service Honours Committee (at the Cabinet Office) – they help decide who gets awards like MBEs and OBEs for their work in the community.
• External Expert Advisor to the Home Office Strategic Race Advisory Board – providing expert advice to the government on issues of race and equality.
• Visiting Professor at York St John University – sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation.

Each of these roles shows a deep commitment to the community and to making the UK a fairer place. Her work with groups like the Strategic Race Advisory Board demonstrates a real passion for improving social cohesion.

What are people saying about the appointment?

The news has been met with a lot of positivity. The outgoing Lord-Lieutenant, Ed Anderson, whose retirement is scheduled for 22nd December 2025, welcomed the decision:

“I am delighted that Adeeba Malik will succeed me. She demonstrated outstanding qualities during her term as High Sheriff of West Yorkshire which will enable her to be an excellent Lord-Lieutenant.”

That praise was echoed by West Yorkshire Chief Constable John Robins, who worked with Adeeba during her time as High Sheriff:

“Adeeba worked very closely with the emergency services during her year as High Sheriff and I very much look forward to working with her in this new role.”

The Bishop of Bradford, Right Revd Toby Howarth, also shared his support for the appointment. The Bishop focused on her unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life, saying:

“Adeeba has all the necessary qualities that will enable her to reach across all West Yorkshire communities and promote social cohesion.”

This support from key figures across the region highlights the respect Professor Adeeba Malik has earned through her years of work for the community.