University lecturer appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Northamptonshire

A University of Northampton academic has been appointed to a prestigious position which helps to maintain the link between the monarchy and the county of Northamptonshire.

Adrian Pryce, Senior Lecturer in Strategy and International Business, has been appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Northamptonshire. This is a State appointment.

The Northamptonshire Lieutenancy is the link between the monarchy and the county of Northamptonshire. Not only does the lieutenancy represent and uphold the dignity of the Crown and arrange royal visits to the county but it also celebrates the achievements of the people of Northamptonshire and their service to others.

Deputy Lieutenants support the Lord Lieutenant, David Laing, who is also the University’s Pro Chancellor. Adrian is one of five new Deputy Lieutenants appointed by David Laing.

Adrian was chosen for the role thanks to his work with Northampton’s homelessness charity, the Hope Centre, which he chairs and for his work within the county’s business as well as voluntary sectors.

He said: “This is a truly humbling honour for me, recognition for several years of community and voluntary work for the Hope Centre – but not just for me, but for so many others at the Hope Centre and the University who have helped me during my time as chairman.”

Adrian’s annual Chairman’s Challenge Ride for Hope – 208 miles from  Northampton to Ypres – which over four years has raised nearly £90,000, has also developed strong civic links for Northamptonshire with Belgium’s Western Flanders region, promoting the county abroad.

He added: “Key for me is not the award itself, but what good I can do with it, both within the county and promoting Northamptonshire abroad.”

As well as his work for the Hope Centre, Adrian is involved with the county’s food & drink sector strategy board, and he is also a trustee of Scott Bader, an employee-owned multinational chemicals company based in Wollaston.

Adrian plays a key role in the University’s China & Emerging Economies Centre (CEEC), fostering regional links between Northamptonshire and Chinese provinces where as he says: “Some sense of civic status will, I hope, play well with Chinese regional government officials. So my appointment is important for building academic and commercial links abroad, as well as continuing to support the vital voluntary sector within our community or to further the University’s strategy of making Northamptonshire the best place to grow up, live, work and visit.”