Lord-Lieutenant For Dunbartonshire Michael Gregory OBE Since october 2008.
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Rear Admiral Michael Gregory OBE had a wide ranging career in the Royal Navy spanning 36 years. Most of this time was spent in the Submarine Service with three Submarine Commands followed by command of a Frigate.
He was then Assistant Director Naval Staff Duties in the MOD Whitehall and Naval Defence Attaché (Policy) in Washington DC. He finished his career as Flag Officer, Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland. On retirement from the Royal Navy he became CEO of two Industry Support Organisations. He is also a Brigadier in the Royal Company of Archers, Queen's Body Guard for Scotland.
Rear Admiral Gregory is married and has four children.
The office of Lord-Lieutenant is military in origin and can be said to date from the reign of Henry VIII when it's holder was made responsible for the maintenance of order, and for all military measures necessary locally for defence. By 1569 provision was made for the appointment of deputies. Although by the Regulation of the Forces Act 1871 the Militia was removed from the Lord-Lieutenant's direct control, it was not until 1921 that the Lord-Lieutenant finally lost the power to call on all able-bodied men of the county to fight in case of need.
The traditional links with the armed forces have been preserved in a modern form in the association of the Lord-Lieutenant with the Volunteer Reserve Forces. Lord-Lieutenants' connections with uniformed organisations have led to links with other uniformed organisations, such as the police, fire and ambulance services and many voluntary bodies, such as Red Cross, St John Ambulance, St Andrew, the cadet forces and other national and local youth organisations. In recent years the circles within which the Lord-Lieutenants' leadership role is exercised have come to include a wide range of matters, civil and defence, professional and voluntary. Lord-Lieutenants are effective in such work largely because of their links to the Crown and the essentially voluntary and apolitical nature of their role.
From earliest days the Lord-Lieutenant has also been closely associated with the magistracy. Until the 19th century he appointed the Clerk of the Peace.
The Queen appoints Lord-Lieutenants on the recommendation of the Prime Minister; and the Queen approves the appointment of the Vice Lord-Lieutenants.
The fundamental principle concerning the office of Lord-Lieutenant is that he is Her Majesty's representative in his county and consequently it is his first and foremost duty to uphold the dignity of the Crown. In this role he has wide discretion in how he carries out the tasks expected of him and those he chooses to undertake.
In general the Lord-Lieutenant will be following the example of the Queen and other members of the Royal family if he seeks to promote a good atmosphere and a spirit of co-operation by the encouragement he gives to voluntary service, and to benevolent organisations, and by the interest he takes in the business, industrial and social life of his county and the voluntary activity that goes on in it.
A woman who is appointed to the office of Lord-Lieutenant is correctly addressed as Lord-Lieutenant.
Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant
Is appointed by HM The Queen and may serve until retirement at age 75. The Lord-Lieutenant is HM The Queen’s representative in Dunbartonshire whose first and foremost duty is to uphold the dignity of the Crown. This is an honorary appointment.
Vice Lord Lieutenant
The Lord-Lieutenant of a county, with The Queen’s approval, may appoint a Lieutenant or Deputy Lieutenant to be the Vice Lord-Lieutenant. The Vice Lord-Lieutenant may be given such duties as the Lord-Lieutenant may from time to time decide. The Vice Lord-Lieutenant also stands in the place of the Lord-Lieutenant when the Lord-Lieutenant is absent, sick or otherwise unable to act.
Deputy Lieutenants
Lord-Lieutenants are required to appoint Deputy Lieutenants (DLs). Deputy Lieutenants are appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant at his discretion, subject only to The Queen not disapproving of the granting of the commission. Deputy Lieutenants are holders of a public office.
There is an upper limit on the number of DLs who may be appointed in each county or area. The establishment is the maximum number who may be appointed: whether so many are appointed is entirely at the discretion of the Lord-Lieutenant.
DLs Also Retire at 75
DLs are expected to support the Lord-Lieutenant in general within his county or area and in particular to carry out tasks as directed by the Lord-Lieutenant. Such tasks are likely to include:
Clerk of the Lieutenancy
The Lord-Lieutenant may appoint a Clerk of the Lieutenancy among whose duties are to:
The Clerk of the Lieutenancy can be contacted on 01436 810209.
Clerk of the Lieutenancy - Mrs Belinda-Jane Ruthven
Tel: (01436) 810209
Tel: 07766 790 165
Website created by Gerard McAdams, Cumbernauld College
