The Lieutenancy of Orkney

Bill Spence was appointed Lord-Lieutenant by the Queen in February 2014 having previously, for 9 months, acted in the role of Lord-Lieutenant after the death of his predecessor in May 2013. He retired in January 2020. He was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant in December 1988 and Vice Lord-Lieutenant in March 2011 and supported four of his predecessors.

Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Edgar Matheson Gibson, MBE, TD, DL (Gary) became a Deputy Lieutenant in 1976 and Vice-Lord Lieutenant for the period 2007 - 2009. Based in Cyprus during his national service in the Royal Artillery he subsequently joined the TA as a Lovat Scout reaching Lt. Colonel and finally Hon Colonel of Lovat Scouts ACF. Educated at Kirkwall Grammar School, Gray's College of Art and then Teacher Training College, Gary rose to the position of Principal Teacher of Art and Assistant Headteacher before retiring to pursue the role of independent artist and sculptor. He was Chairman of the St Magnus Fair 1982 - 2004 instigating the revival of "Drumming In of the Market" and at the 800th anniversary of St Magnus Cathedral and 500th of the Council, "The Riding the Marches". An Honorary President of the the Italian Chapel Preservation Committee having reconstructed the damaged St George statue in 1972 and restoring and maintaining the murals until 2014. An Uppie Ba' winner for both the Boys'  (1949) and Men's  (1967) and Ba' maker 1966-1995. 

After a lifetime of service to the community he loved, Gary passed away in March 2023. His family mourns his loss and he will be greatly missed by those who knew him well.

John was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in July 2003 and in recognition of his many years of voluntary work with both the Italian Chapel Preservation Committee and Macmillan Cancer Support, he was awarded the British Empire Medal in June 2015 in recognition of his voluntary work in the County.

George Stevenson was a full time farmer into his 80s and very involved in the farming community of Orkney. He was a vice president of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society in 2005. He was a member of Orkney County Council and went on to become an Orkney Islands Council for over 15 years chairing every committee except social work and holding the position of Vice-Convener. 

After a lifetime of service to the community he loved, George passed away in August 2021. His family mourns his loss and he will be greatly missed by those who knew him well.

Doris Stout was a primary school teacher and was chairman of Stromness Community Council for fourteen years. During that time, she welcomed Kings Olav and Harald of Norway and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother to Stromness. She designed and was instrumental in securing the town's official coat of arms, granted by the Lord Lyon, King of Arms. Doris was a member of the inaugural Pier Arts Centre committee, later becoming a trustee. Her appointment as deputy was made in 1996.

After moving to Sanday in 1977, Sue taught in Sanday School for 25 years, as well as working as a part-time tutor for the Open University in Scotland. Her voluntary work has included serving as President of the Sanday Lifeboat Guild, and as Chairman of the Sanday Development Trust and of the Community Interest Company which operates the island’s public bus services. In 2011 she became a founder-member of the group which planned and organised the Sanday Soulka festival weekends which have since become a permanent fixture in the island’s events calendar. 

Born in Kirkwall, Keith attended Kirkwall Grammar School following which he qualified as Extra Master Mariner and served with Shell overseas and in UK. He was an Orkney Islands Councillor 1994 - 2007 and Chairman of Social Work and Housing for 8 years. Keith has been a voluntary climate observer for the Met Office for 20 years.  He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 2010 and Vice Lord-Lieutenant in 2014.

David Oddie is a retired chartered accountant and has been the honorary secretary and treasurer of The Society of the Friends of St Magnus Cathedral for over 20 years. In 2019 the Queen appointed him MBE for services to the community in Orkney.

Graham Bevan served as a Deputy Lieutenant from 2008 until his election as an Orkney Islands Councillor in May 2022. He spent his working life in the education sector in Orkney and has supported many community activities in and around his home town. He is a past Chairman of the Stromness Community Council and the internationally renowned Pier Arts Centre.

Marcus is a farmer from South Ronaldsay and has been active in the agricultural industry in Orkney for many years. He retired as Chairman of the Orkney Cheese Company in 2018. Marcus was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant in 2005 and retired in February 2024.