A new Vice Lord-Lieutenant has been appointed for Somerset. Robert Drewett, who lives in the Mendips, above the Chew Valley, has been serving as a Deputy Lieutenant for the past 20 years.
Mr Drewett replaces Ted Allen as Vice Lord-Lieutenant. Mr Allen had held the position for three years and has reached the retirement age, for the Lieutenancy, of 75.
Today Mr Drewett said: “It is a great honour to be appointed as Vice Lord- Lieutenant and I very much look forward to working alongside the Lord- Lieutenant in helping further the work of the Lieutenancy in Somerset.
“Ted Allen has done a fantastic job during his time as Vice Lord-Lieutenant and set the bar high but I will do my best to build on the high standards set by him.”
Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant Mohammed Saddiq commented: “I am delighted to welcome Robbie Drewett as the next Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, bringing with him a distinguished legal career and decades of devoted service to the county’s civic and charitable life.
“His exceptional leadership across agricultural, charitable, and community organisations—alongside his long-standing commitment as a Deputy Lieutenant and former High Sheriff—will be of immense value in this new role.
“I would also like to thank Ted Allen for his service as Vice Lord-Lieutenant for the past three years. I am truly grateful for the exceptional support and service he has provided and he will be greatly missed.”
Mr Allen said today: “I have been a part of Somerset Lieutenancy for sixteen years and it has truly been an absolute pleasure. But my last three years as Vice Lord-Lieutenant have been the most huge privilege.
“To work closely in support of the Lord-Lieutenant, welcome our Royal visitors and have the opportunity to meet so many charities and volunteers who work tirelessly to help others and their communities has been the most remarkable and humbling experience.”
BIOGRAPHY
ROBERT NICHOLAS FOORD DREWETT ESQ DL
Having read law at New College, Oxford Robert trained in the City of London and remained there after qualifying as a solicitor. In 1987 he joined Osborne Clarke in Bristol, staying there until 2014, when he and his team moved to Womble Bond Dickinson. Robert retired as a partner in 2021 but still acts as Senior Counsel on a part time basis.
Appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in 2005, Robert has been involved with a variety of charities within the county. His most active involvement has been with the Royal Bath & West of England Society, where he started stewarding in 1978. He joined its Council in 1984, its board in 1995 and was Chair from 2013 until 2022 and invited to be President in 2024/25.
He is also a Trustee of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, Innovation for Agriculture and the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, reflecting his interest in the challenges faced by agriculture and how agricultural societies can both help farmers to improve practices through good use of science and also act as a bridge with consumers.
Robert is a Trustee of the Langford Trust for Animal Health and Welfare, Sight Research UK, the Grateful Society, St Monica Trust (these latter two being focussed on support for older people) and Wells Cathedral Preservation Trust and previously was a Trustee of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Trust and Chair of Folly Farm Limited, the trading company of Avon Wildlife Trust.
Mr Drewett served as a Church Warden for many years and becameHigh Sheriff of Somerset in 2023/24, remaining a trustee of the High Sheriff of Somerset’s Charitable Trust.
Robert and his wife Celia live on the Mendips above the Chew Valley. They have three children.
