A well-known former Birmingham solicitor has been appointed to the role of Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands.
John Crabtree, who until 2003 was senior partner for historic city law firm Wragge & Co, takes over the post from Paul Sabapathy after he stepped down in 2015 following comments he made about British Pakistanis.
Mr Crabtree was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands in 2005 and also served as High Sheriff of the West Midlands in 2006/2007.
He has a wide variety of business, community and charitable interests, predominantly in the West Midlands, and has been leading a government-appointed improvement panel which is looking into the affairs of Birmingham City Council following the Kerslake report.
Mr Crabtree is also well known for his support of Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust and Sense, the national charity for the deafblind, and he holds honorary doctorates from both the University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University.
A former president of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, he also served as a director of Advantage West Midlands, the former regional development agency, for seven years until its abolition in 2012.
He said: "I am extremely honoured to have been appointed to this significant role.
"Since 2005, I have been privileged to serve as a deputy lieutenant and I now look forward to working with my deputy lieutenants representing Her Majesty the Queen in the West Midlands.
"The West Midlands Lieutenancy is the second largest lieutenancy in the country with a population of more than 2.8 million people.
"This is a rich and diverse community with both a proud and industrial heritage as well as being home to some of the UK's largest and most innovative companies.
"We can also be proud of our vibrant cultural activities as well as being at the heart of the country's transport network that enables us to host UK and worldwide events.
"I will do all that I am able to serve the West Midlands."
