Winton Keenen, the Chief Constable of Northumbria Police has been appointed as a  Deputy Lieutenant for Northumberland.   

  

The role will see him support and assist the Duchess of Northumberland in her position as Lord Lieutenant - the King’s official representative for the county.   

  

Winton has strong ties to the north-east; He has been a serving Police Officer with Northumbria Police for 38 years and Chief Constable with the force for the past six years.  

  

In 2022 he was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Years Honours List for distinguished services to policing and the north-east region.  

  

Her Grace, The Duchess of Northumberland said: “Winton has made a significant contribution to north east life, is very well known and has strong links with communities and businesses right across the county.  

  

“He has a wealth of personal and professional experience and an enduring sense of duty.  I know he will contribute wonderfully, in his own individual way, to the role.  I welcome his support and look forward to working with him.”  

  

Winton is due to retire as Chief Constable of Northumbria Police in March. He added: “I am hugely invested both professionally and personally in the on-going development and prosperity of Northumberland and the wider region.  

  

“I look forward to my new role as a Deputy Lieutenant for Northumberland – an appointment which is both an honour and a privilege.”  

  

Deputy Lieutenants are chosen by the Lord-Lieutenant, but they receive their commission only when official confirmation is received that His Majesty the King does not ‘disapprove of the appointment’.   

  

They must live within the county, or within seven miles of the boundary, and they usually retain the appointment until the retirement age of 75.  

  

The Duchess of Northumberland became Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's ceremonial representative for Northumberland in 2009 and was the first woman in the county to ever hold the position.  

  

Mr Keenen will join the existing group of highly committed and hugely capable deputy lieutenants to serve the residents of Northumberland.