Representative Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

Mrs Gillian Norton OBE DL

Appointed Rep DL: 2016

Gillian Norton has been Chairman of St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust since 2017 and Epsom St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust since 2019. She spent her executive career in local government, serving as Chief Executive for a total of 23 years, the last 17 of which were in London Borough of Richmond. She is also Representative Deputy Lieutenant for Richmond and was awarded an OBE for services to local government. She is a Member of the Government Commission on COVID Commemoration.

Museum of Richmond presents 100-year story of the Poppy Factory – 29 September 2022

The new exhibition exploring the fascinating 100-year history of The Poppy Factory runs till spring 2023.  The exhibition was opened on September 29 by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa. He was joined at the reception by the Mayor of Richmond upon Thames, Cllr Julia Cambridge, and the President of The Poppy Factory, Surgeon Rear Admiral Lionel Jarvis.

The exhibition charts the development of the charity and its unique community of veterans in Richmond upon Thames and beyond. Personal stories, vintage poppies and other key artefacts have been brought together in the display, which shows how The Poppy Factory grew into a bustling local enterprise and a national employment charity.

Veterans who had been wounded in the First World War were the first to be employed at the fledgling factory, making Remembrance poppies and wreaths by hand and living on site in purpose-built flats. Within a few short years, they had established a tradition and created a thriving community of ex-Forces workers and families. Their inspiring story is told in full in the exhibition, which has been curated by the museum to celebrate its neighbour’s centenary.

Proclamation Reading – sunday 11 September 2022

The Proclamation of the Accession of His Majesty King Charles III took place at York House in Twickenham.  A video of the event can be found on the YouTube channel following the link https://youtu.be/pHvby490nzY

Annual Inspection of the Richmond Sea Cadets

Tuesday 7th May 2019

Gillian attended the annual inspection of the Richmond Sea Cadets. It was a splendid evening with the cadets demonstrating theirconsiderable skills. Visitors were invited to try their hand at knot tying and the Mayor and Dame Fiona Woolf were brave enough to have a go!

Presentation of DL Certificates

24th April

Gillian co-hosted with the Mayor a delightful informal presentation of DL certificates to 4 out of the 5 successful Borough cadets.

The Duchess of Sussex visits Brinsworth House

On 18 December 2018 Gillian received the Duchess of Sussex when she visited Brinsworth House in Twickenham, a residential and nursing home for retired show business people run by the Royal Variety Charity. As well as being shown round the home, the Duchess spent a great deal of time talking to many of the residents, joining in carol singing and craft activities. It was a wonderful occasion very much enjoyed by the residents and the Charity employees.

St George’s Day Parade

Sunday 22nd April Gillian joined hundreds of Scouts, Cubs and Beavers, the Deputy Mayor, the local MP, councillors and senior scouting officers for the Borough’s annual St George’s Day Parade.

It was a splendid occasion with the exceedingly long procession snaking its way through the streets of Twickenham in a festive atmosphere. It was lovely to see so many young people supported by their families proudly wearing their uniform and showing their commitment to service.

11th July- Gillian received HRH Prince Charles when he visited Kew Gardens to see the refurbished Temperate House and open the Pagoda. The visit finished in glorious sunshine and some lucky schoolchildren had almost the last word.

On a lovely summer’s day on 8 June Gillian received the Duchess of Cornwall when she attended the live broadcast of BBC 2’s Breakfast Show’s 500 Word Final at Hampton Court Palace.

After presenting the Chief Executive of Historic Royal Palaces and Senior BBC Executives, Gillian watched the Duchess being driven into the open air auditorium in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by presenter Chris Evans. It was a great occasion with lots of children and their parents. The competition encourages creative writing in various age categories and the winning stories, which were read by a number of the judges, themselves children’s authors, were terrific.

On 19 April the Mayor of Richmond, Cllr Lisa Blakemore and the Deputy Lieutenant recognised the successes of Borough Cadets at a presentation in the Parlour followed by a buffet. The Cadets were joined by their families and Commanding Officers and the Mayor spoke about how much the Borough valued the work of the Cadet Forces and she hoped the event would mark the beginning of strong links between them and the Council.

On 16 April there was a very special ceremony in Barnes to unveil the Victoria Cross Commemoration stone for Captain Alfred Carpenter RN VC , later Admiral Carpenter. The Mayor and Admiral Carpenter’s granddaughter unveiled the stone,  the Representative Deputy Lieutenant explained the history of the Victoria Cross Stone initiative and Naval representatives outlined Captain’s Carpenter’s great bravery at the battle of Zeebrugge in 2018