History has been made in West Yorkshire with the appointment of Professor Adeeba Malik, CBE, DL, as His Majesty’s new Lord-Lieutenant of the county. The King confirmed her appointment, which will take effect on 22 December 2025, when the current Lord-Lieutenant, Ed Anderson CBE, steps down after his distinguished service.
Professor Malik, 58, becomes the first woman of Asian heritage to hold the position of Lord Lieutenant anywhere in the UK a landmark moment not just for West Yorkshire but for the nation.
With over 35 years of service in the public and voluntary sectors, Malik has dedicated her career to education, equality and community development. Beginning as a teacher, she went on to join QED Foundation in 1992, where she continues to serve as Deputy Chief Executive, driving initiatives to promote social and economic inclusion.
Her long record of public service includes roles with the House of Lords Appointments Commission, the Cabinet Office Honours Committee, the Home Office Strategic Race Advisory Board, and as a Visiting Professor at York St John University. She also served as High Sheriff of West Yorkshire.
Outgoing Lord Lieutenant Ed Anderson praised her as an “excellent successor,” while West Yorkshire’s Chief Constable John Robins QPM DL highlighted her close collaboration with emergency services. The Bishop of Bradford, the Rt Revd Toby Howarth, added: “Adeeba has all the necessary qualities to reach across all West Yorkshire communities and promote social cohesion.”
Professor Malik’s appointment is being celebrated as a powerful symbol of diversity, leadership, and unity, marking a new chapter in the county’s history.