A THORNBURY businessman is one of six new deputies appointed by Gloucestershire’s Lord-Lieutenant, Dame Janet Trotter.

Thomas Frost, former high sheriff of Gloucestershire and chairman of the Frost Charitable Trust which is dedicated to eye diseases and the prevention of blindness, will now support events and carry out duties across Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire.

Deputies chosen for the voluntary, unpaid role have all made contributions to their community.

The five other deputies are:

Emma Corfield (nee Willis) MBE is a young entrepreneur from Duntisbourne Abbotts in north Cirencester.

She has designed bespoke shirts for soldiers injured while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and has also set up a charity linked to this work.

Conde Nast has recently sponsored the setting up of the Emma Willis Sewing School in Gloucester offering opportunities to a wide range of local people.

Robert Rees MBE from Far Oakridge in north Stroud is one of the UK’s leading chefs and is dedicated to creating a better food culture in England.

He has had a number of appointments including; board member of the Foods standards Agency and Chair of Children’s Food Trust.

In 2008 Robert set up The Wiggly Worm Ltd to help improve the health, well-being and self-esteem of vulnerable people and in 2014 included a ‘No Child Hungry’ initiative to ensure no child goes to school hungry.

Philip John Vickery MBE from Taynton in Gloucester is best known for his rugby career.

He captained the England rugby team and won 73 England caps and also played for Gloucester Rugby Club.

In 2003 he launched a sports wear business, Raging bull, is a member of the RFU Council and commentates for both BBC and Sky.

He is an ambassador for The Prince’s Countryside Fund and for the Wooden Spoon charity and Vice Patron of the Pied Piper appeal.

Diane Hill (nee Savory) OBE from Cheltenham has considerable commercial experience and holds a number of roles in the community.

Diane has worked as a Freelance Graphic Designer, restaurant owner and Chief Operating Officer of Super Group PLC. She is Director of Cheltenham Festivals, Director of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and Governor of Gloucestershire College. In 2010 she won Business Woman of the Year and became Chair of the Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership in 2011.

Air marshal Sir David Walker KCVO, OBE from Bisley served in the RAF and specialised in Human Relations and Communications. His senior appointments include; director of RAF Personnel and Training Policy and Master of the Royal Household, Buckingham Palace. He is trustee of the Savoy Educational Trust, President of the London Wing of the Air Training Corps and Vice Patron of the Royal International Air Tattoo.

Dame Janet said: “I am delighted to announce six new deputies who will assist in the work of the lieutenancy.

“Their diverse backgrounds provide us with deep roots into the county and will help us to continue to serve it effectively in future.”

Dame Janet has been the Queen’s ceremonial representative for Gloucestershire since October 2010 and is responsible for a wide range of duties, including civic events.

The role, first formed in 1559, was originally tasked with training local men and leading them against rebels and foreign invaders.