Prestigious New Role for Lesley
Congratulations to Birmingham Press Club member Lesley Wilde, who has been appointed to the role of a Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands. Solihull-based Lesley (pictured) is a strategic communications specialist who runs her own agency, which has an established track record for supporting public sector campaigns.
The West Midlands is the second largest Lieutenancy in the country, having been established in 1974, and its Deputy Lieutenants get involved in many initiatives to support the community and recognise the people who make a difference to others.
Announcing the appointments, the Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands, Sir John Crabtree OBE, said they reflected the forward-thinking and community spirit that existed across the region. He said: “I’m proud of what has been achieved in the region over the years and I’m excited by the new projects and activities that are taking forward the West Midlands. It is heart-warming to see so many people giving so much of themselves to help others and these new Deputy Lieutenants are some of the terrific people we have here that are making such a difference to our community.
The Lord-Lieutenant is The King’s personal representative, and the role involves supporting civic, ceremonial, voluntary, charitable and social activity.
Lesley, who founded her agency, Wilde Thing Strategic Communications, 18 years ago, is a long-standing media and communications specialist with the British Army and three years ago was presented with a Special Award for Outstanding Leadership in Military Media & Communications. Holding the rank of Lt Col, she originally joined the Army as an officer in the Women’s Royal Army Corps. She was stationed in Germany for several years with the Royal Artillery and the Royal Engineers before completing a tour as Garrison Adjutant.
Lesley then transferred from regular to reserve service, using her media skills in the Media Operations Group to lead exercises across the world.
She escorted some of the first media into Kuwait during First Gulf War in 1991, worked in Berlin during the fall of the Wall and the end of the Cold War, covered the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, the funeral of HRH Prince Phillip and was fully engaged in supporting the military contribution to Covid-19.
Her career in PR and event management has seen her work with high profile companies and organisations such as the Ministry of Defence, Royal British Legion and Scope, not only strategically promoting their work but working closely with them on a day-to-day basis managing risks, launching new products and effectively communicating to stakeholders, media and the wider public.
