Peaches Golding has made history after being appointed as a Lord Lieutenant – the first black female to have achieved such a role.
Previously Bristol’s High Sheriff, Golding will represent the Queen in the city for the next 12 years. The role is largely ceremonial and will focus on promoting civic, voluntary and business activities within the city.
Historically, the role involved being in charge of the area’s armed forces, it is now more a symbolic role.
Speaking about her appointment, Golding said, “I think in terms of where I came from to get this is just amazing.”
“I’ve lived and worked in Bristol for 35 years and very much taken Bristol to my heart so this means an enormous amount to me.”
“I came from an ordinary background and if I can inspire people to do extraordinary things, then that makes me very happy.”
“I would really like to see Bristol proud of what we have achieved and what we do.”
“I hope a light can be shone on the tremendous work in Bristol, both in the voluntary and business sectors.”
When Golding was appointed to her role as High Sherriff in 2010 she became the first black High Sheriff of Bristol and the only known black High Sheriff of England since the office was established, over 1,000 years ago.
Born in South Carolina, Golding’s father successfully sued the Atlantic Greyhound Bus Company after being arrested for refusing to move to the back of the bus, eight years before Rosa Parks.
Golding set up a marketing and communications business in Bristol in 1992 and since then she has served on a number of public bodies and private sector organisations. In 2009, she was awarded an OBE for services to minority ethnic people in the South-West of England.
