Vice-Chancellor appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire

Professor Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, has today [Wednesday 23 October] been announced as one of four new Deputy Lieutenants of Berkshire.

Professor Van de Noort has been appointed by the Lord Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire, Mr Andrew Try, exactly a year after his own appointment.

The other Deputy Lieutenants are Mrs Derna Grundon, Miss Alka Kharbanda and Mr Simon Muir.

Professor Van de Noort said: "I am honoured to be appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Berkshire, a position which reflects the meaningful bridge between our University's academic mission and our wider community role.

“I look forward to supporting the Lord Lieutenant in promoting the exceptional achievements of people in Berkshire, and fostering stronger connections between higher education and public service. I also look forward to presiding occasionally at Citizenship Ceremonies – that would be rather poignant considering I am myself an immigrant and a naturalised British citizen.

“The University plays a vital role in the civic life of our community, and I hope this position will support the efforts of others in volunteering, charitable work, and public service. Congratulations also to my fellow Deputy Lieutenants on their appointments.”

The role of the Deputy Lieutenants is to support the Lord Lieutenant in his wide-ranging work as His Majesty The King’s representative in Berkshire.

Deputy Lieutenants are encouraged to support public and emergency services and the armed forces based in the County, as well as promoting a spirit of co-operation by supporting charitable and voluntary organisations and to take an interest in the commercial, social, civic and spiritual life of the County.

In addition to his role as Vice-Chancellor, Professor Van de Noort is Patron of Launchpad Reading, a charity that works to end homelessness across Reading, and which was founded by students of the University of Reading.