Solihull welcomes new Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands - The Solihull Observer

Solihull welcomes new Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands

Solihull Editorial 21st Jan, 2017   0

JOHN Crabtree OBE has appointed as Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands, succeeding Paul Sabapathy CBE.

Mr Crabtree OBE was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands in August 2005 and also served as High Sheriff of the West Midlands in 2006/2007.

He has a wide variety of business, community and charitable interests, predominantly in the West Midlands.

Until 2003, he was senior partner of Wragge & Co (now Gowling WLG), the leading Birmingham-based international firm of solicitors.




He has several business interests and is also well known for his support of Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust and the national charity for the deafblind – SENSE.

Mr Crabtree is currently chairman of The Birmingham Independent Improvement Panel overseeing Birmingham City Council’s implementation of the recommendations of the Kerslake review of the governance and organisational capabilities of Birmingham City Council.


A former President of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he also served as a director of Advantage West Midlands, the former regional development agency, for seven years until its abolition in 2012.

In 2003, Mr Crabtree was voted West Midlands Businessman of the Year and in 2004, voted UK Lawyer of the Year.

He has received life-time achievement awards from Birmingham Law Society and has also received honorary doctorates from University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University.

Mr Crabtree lives in Crowle with his wife, Diana and has three sons and three daughters.

Commenting on the appointment, he said: “I am extremely honoured to have been appointed to this significant role. Since 2005, I have been privileged to serve as a Deputy Lieutenant and I now look forward to working with my Deputy Lieutenants representing Her Majesty the Queen in the West Midlands.

“The West Midlands Lieutenancy is the second largest lieutenancy in the country with a population of more than 2.8 million people. “This is a rich and diverse community with both a proud and industrial heritage as well as being home to some of the UK’s largest and most innovative companies.

“We can also be proud of our vibrant cultural activities as well as being at the heart of the country’s transport network that enables us to host UK and worldwide events.

“I will do all that I am able to serve the West Midlands.”

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