THREE new Deputy Lieutenants for the County of Essex have been appointed by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst.

The role of the Deputy Lieutenant is to assist the Lord-Lieutenant in her first and foremost duty, which is to uphold the dignity of the Crown and of assisting the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association and Pre-Service organisations.

Mrs Tessa Bartlett DL (Tollesbury)

Tessa has lived and worked in Essex for many years and has been closely involved in the region’s educational, environmental, and maritime communities. She served in senior roles at the University of Essex, where she led a number of regional engagement and outreach initiatives.

A passionate advocate for youth development, Tessa has volunteered for over three decades as a sailing coach, supporting young people through on-the-water activities along the Essex coastline. She sits on the organising committee for the East Anglian Maritime Awards, recognising the achievements of young people in the sector, and helps raise funds to support bursaries for maritime training.

Tessa is a school governor and a trustee of several organisations working with young people and the environment. She also races a traditional Essex fishing smack on the Blackwater.

Mr Mark Bevan CVO DL (High Roding)

Mark retired in 2023 as a Managing Director at Coutts & Co where he spent 30 years and for his last 15 years he was responsible for the bank’s connection with the Royal family.

He now Chairs the Development Board of the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, is Hon Treasurer to the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and is on the Development Committee of Prostate Cancer UK, among other things.

Mark has lived in High Roding since 1988 and in the summer months is often found afloat on his small boat. He is married to Anna and has two adult daughters and increasing numbers of grandchildren.

Mrs Rachel Grainger DL (Willingale)

On leaving school, Rachel trained as a nurse, eventually becoming a departmental Sister in a busy London teaching hospital. Having married a doctor, she moved to Essex over thirty years ago and brought up three daughters. She sold Cards for Good Causes for several years in Chelmsford library, before joining the Friends of Essex Churches Trust Events Committee.

After organising many events, including the popular Charity Gift Fair, she then became its chairman. She remains an active member of the committee, is a trustee of the Friends of Essex Churches Trust, and has served as Vice-chairman of the executive. She is now the Essex organiser of the annual Ride and Stride, which she continues to champion.