Roderick Urquhart appointed new Lord Lieutenant for East Lothian

Roderick Urquhart, of Samuelston, has been appointed to the role by Her Majesty The Queen.

He was previously named a Deputy Lord Lieutenant in March 2016 alongside Pauline Jaffray.

The Lord Lieutenant is the Queen’s representative in East Lothian. His deputies are there to step in when he is unavailable.

Mr Williams retires from the post on March 15 after eight years’ service.

Lord Lieutenants and their deputies must retire when they reach the age of 75.

Mr Urquhart said of his new role: “It is a great honour and a privilege to be appointed as Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of East Lothian, and to succeed Michael Williams MBE.

“Michael has been an inspirational and excellent Lord Lieutenant.

“He has carried out his duties most enthusiastically and diligently, often accompanied by his wife Barbara.

“He has given very generously of his time and has been a wonderful source of encouragement and support to many.

“With assistance from our able team of Deputy Lieutenants across the county, I much look forward to continuing and building upon all the good work that Michael has done as Lord Lieutenant.

“As I look ahead, I will continue to acknowledge my good fortune to have grown up and raised our family in East Lothian. It is a wonderful and beautiful county.

“Here in East Lothian, we are also fortunate to have so many excellent voluntary organisations, businesses and individuals who do so much to help enhance the quality of life around the county.

“This is hugely appreciated, never more so than in these current very difficult times.

“I look forward to playing my part in both inspiring and encouraging the continued good works, but also in recognising the significant efforts and positive life-changing results which so many individuals and organisations have achieved for the benefit of others.”

Roderick Urquhart

Mr Urquhart spent his younger years living in Stenton and was educated at Loretto School, Musselburgh. He studied law at university, subsequently joining the family law firm, Urquharts, in Edinburgh in 1982.

He is the fourth generation of his family to have worked at the firm, which was established in 1876.

A senior partner at the firm since 2009, he is due to retire on March 31.

As well as being a solicitor, Mr Urquhart has sat on various management and executive committees, including the Society of Writers to Her Majesty’s Signet, and the boards of various private companies and family trusts.

In 1990, he was appointed clerk to the governors of Loretto School, a post he held for 19 years. He worked closely with the chairman of the board of governors, and with the heads and bursar, and was responsible for providing administrative support. He is also a former president of the Lorettonian Society.

Roderick Urquhart

Mr Urquhart became Writer to the Signet and in 1997 was elected a High Constable and member of the Guard of Honour of Holyroodhouse.

His duties include assisting with royal visits to the palace, and with the Lord High Commissioner’s Week.

He has been a senior office bearer for the past six years; he was previously Captain of the Guard.

He is a former trustee of Haddington-based Lamp of Lothian Trust, a role he took up in 2009. The trust provides a range of buildings available for community use. He sat on the trust for nine years before retiring.

Current Lord Lieutenant Mr Williams said: “I am absolutely delighted by his appointment. He is very much an East Lothian person, born and bred.

Lord Lieutenant Michael Williams presented the British Empire Medals to Andrew Gordon and Fiona Alderson at Haddington Town House.

“He is very good with people, very articulate and full of enthusiasm, enthusiasm for East Lothian and representing Her Majesty.

“I am thrilled and think he is a very good choice and will do a very good job.

“It has been wonderful to have done the job for eight years. It is very disappointing to finish on a bit of a downer [the coronavirus pandemic] but on the other hand I am very happy to be handing over to someone like him.

“I am not going anywhere and will be around to help him if it is needed.”