Mark Pendlington

Mark was appointed in April 2026 to serve as His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk. He was High Sheriff of Suffolk in 2023/2024.

Mark has served the county for over 30 years, devoting his time to helping and supporting a number of organisations including in business, national and regional voluntary organisations, further and higher education, economic development bodies and academia. He has led national, regional and local initiatives to boost enterprise, create opportunities for young people, improve training and skills, support thriving communities, promote environmental protection and to encourage volunteering. In 2022, he was Chair of the county-wide Festival of Suffolk that brought communities back together following Covid.

His work in Suffolk includes being Pro-Chancellor of the University of Suffolk; Patron of Bury Drop-In a charity supporting the vulnerable and homeless; Senior Non-Executive Director on St Edmundsbury Cathedral Chapter; and Chair of Cefas the government’s marine science research body. He is also a Fellow of The Royal Countryside Fund.

As Lord-Lieutenant, Mark is honoured to be: Patron of the Suffolk Community Foundation; Patron of Suffolk Historic Churches; Patron of Cancer Support Suffolk; Vice President of the Suffolk Association of Local Councils and President of the Army Benevolent Fund (Suffolk)

His previous roles in Suffolk have included: Chair, Suffolk Business Board; Patron, The Green Light Trust; Trustee, British Racing School (Newmarket); and Trustee, Gainsborough’s House in Sudbury.

Mark lives near Sudbury with Richard, his partner of over 42 years.

Roles and Responsibilities

Lord-Lieutenants normally serve until retirement at 75 years of age and are non-political permanent representatives of The Crown. They are responsible for all aspects of visits by members of the Royal Family to the county and represent Her Majesty at various events - where appropriate presenting awards to organisations and individuals on Her Majesty’s behalf. The Lord-Lieutenant advises on honours nominations and accepts suggestions for the attendance at Royal Garden Parties of individuals deserving recognition.

The Lord-Lieutenant also maintains strong connections with local units of Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Royal Air Force and their associated Cadet Forces and Volunteer Reserve Forces; and with other uniformed organisations, notably the Police, Fire and Ambulance services and voluntary bodies such as the Red Cross, St John’s Ambulance and other local and national organisations that serve local communities.

The role of Lord-Lieutenant has traditionally been associated with the work of magistrates and our current Lord-Lieutenant is a magistrate herself and holds the ancient office of Keeper of the Rolls for Suffolk. She is also chairman of the Suffolk Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace, which recommends the appointment of magistrates in the county.

The Lord-Lieutenant also acts as chairman of the Advisory Committee for the appointment of Tax Commissioners.

The Lord-Lieutenant promotes a spirit of co-operation within the county, supporting charitable and voluntary organisations and taking a central role in the commercial, social and spiritual life of the county.

The Lord-Lieutenant is supported by a Vice Lord-Lieutenant and by a group of Deputy Lieutenants whose number is determined by the size of the population of the county.