Allan Willett
Encyclopedia
Allan Robert Willett, CVO
, CMG, KStJ
(born 1936) is an English former soldier and businessman. He is also a former Lord Lieutenant of Kent
.
. His mother's family were artists with connections to the military and Kent cricket.
Willett was educated at Eastbourne College
and was later commissioned during his National Service
in the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). He was later seconded to the King's African Rifles
in Kenya
during the Mau Mau Uprising
.
On leaving the military Willett started his own business in 1962, importing machinery for the manufacturer of packaging and plastics. The resulting business known as Willett International Limited became a market leader in electronic labelling processes and won two Queen's Awards. In 2003 Willet International was sold to a competitor. He lives with his wife Anne in Chilham
near Canterbury
in Kent.
for services to export. On 5 January 2002 he succeeded Robin Leigh-Pemberton, Baron Kingsdown
as Lord Lieutenant of Kent
. Willett was made a Knight of Justice in the Order of St. John
in 2003. He is also the former Chairman of the Canterbury Cathedral
Trust Fund (of which he remains trustee), and was Honorary Colonel of the 3rd Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
(a Territorial Army reserve battalion based at Canterbury) 2005-10, and Ambassador for Kent. He was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2011 Birthday Honours
for his service as lord-lieutenant.
for the South East of England (South East England Development Agency
).
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, CMG, KStJ
Venerable Order of Saint John
The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem , is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, Ireland and the United States of America, with the world-wide mission "to prevent and relieve sickness and...
(born 1936) is an English former soldier and businessman. He is also a former Lord Lieutenant of Kent
Lord Lieutenant of Kent
This is a list of people who have served as Lord-Lieutenant of Kent. Since 1746, all Lords Lieutenant have also been Custos Rotulorum of Kent.-Lords Lieutenant of Kent:*Sir Thomas Cheney 1551–?*William Brooke, 10th Baron Cobham 3 July 1585 – 6 March 1597...
.
Early life
Born in India in 1936, his family subsequently returned to Kent where Willett's father was a tea planter and farmer on the Isle of ThanetIsle of Thanet
The Isle of Thanet lies at the most easterly point of Kent, England. While in the past it was separated from the mainland by the nearly -wide River Wantsum, it is no longer an island ....
. His mother's family were artists with connections to the military and Kent cricket.
Willett was educated at Eastbourne College
Eastbourne College
Eastbourne College is a British co-educational independent school for day and boarding pupils aged 13–18, situated on the south coast of England, included in the Tatler list of top public schools. The College's current headmaster is Simon Davies. The College was founded by the Duke of Devonshire...
and was later commissioned during his National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
in the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). He was later seconded to the King's African Rifles
King's African Rifles
The King's African Rifles was a multi-battalion British colonial regiment raised from the various British possessions in East Africa from 1902 until independence in the 1960s. It performed both military and internal security functions within the East African colonies as well as external service as...
in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
during the Mau Mau Uprising
Mau Mau Uprising
The Mau Mau Uprising was a military conflict that took place in Kenya between 1952 and 1960...
.
On leaving the military Willett started his own business in 1962, importing machinery for the manufacturer of packaging and plastics. The resulting business known as Willett International Limited became a market leader in electronic labelling processes and won two Queen's Awards. In 2003 Willet International was sold to a competitor. He lives with his wife Anne in Chilham
Chilham
Chilham is a parish in the English county of Kent. Visited by tourists worldwide, it is known for its beauty. Chilham has been a location for a number of films and television dramas...
near Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
in Kent.
Honours and honorary positions
Willett was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 1997 Birthday Honours1997 Birthday Honours
-Onz:-D.N.Z.M.:-K.N.Z.M.:-C.N.Z.M.:-O.N.Z.M:To be Officers of the said Order:-M.N.Z.M:-O.N.Z.M.:-M.N.Z.M.:-O.N.Z.M.:-M.N.Z.M. :-Q.S.O.:-Q.S.M.:-References:* http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours/lists/list.asp?id=23...
for services to export. On 5 January 2002 he succeeded Robin Leigh-Pemberton, Baron Kingsdown
Robin Leigh-Pemberton, Baron Kingsdown
Robert "Robin" Leigh-Pemberton, Baron Kingsdown, is a crossbencher on the House of Lords, and was formerly a lawyer and banker....
as Lord Lieutenant of Kent
Lord Lieutenant of Kent
This is a list of people who have served as Lord-Lieutenant of Kent. Since 1746, all Lords Lieutenant have also been Custos Rotulorum of Kent.-Lords Lieutenant of Kent:*Sir Thomas Cheney 1551–?*William Brooke, 10th Baron Cobham 3 July 1585 – 6 March 1597...
. Willett was made a Knight of Justice in the Order of St. John
Venerable Order of Saint John
The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem , is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, Ireland and the United States of America, with the world-wide mission "to prevent and relieve sickness and...
in 2003. He is also the former Chairman of the Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site....
Trust Fund (of which he remains trustee), and was Honorary Colonel of the 3rd Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
"PWRR" redirects here. For the railroad with these reporting marks, see Portland and Western Railroad.The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment is the senior English line infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Queen's Division...
(a Territorial Army reserve battalion based at Canterbury) 2005-10, and Ambassador for Kent. He was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 2011 Birthday Honours
2011 Birthday Honours
The Birthday Honours 2011 for the Commonwealth Realms were announced on 7 June 2011 in New Zealand and 11 June 2011 in United Kingdom to celebrate the Queen's Birthday of 2011.-Privy Councillors:...
for his service as lord-lieutenant.
Other interests
In January 2004 Willett created a charitable foundation whose principal beneficiaries are persons or organisations living, working or studying in Kent. He has also been involved in various public sector roles including, among others, the chairman of the Industrial Development Board for London and the South East and the East Kent Enterprise Agency. In 1998 Willett helped the government establish the Regional Development AgencyRegional Development Agency
In the United Kingdom, a regional development agency is a non-departmental public body established for the purpose of development, primarily economic, of one of England's Government Office regions. There is one RDA for each of the NUTS level 1 regions of England...
for the South East of England (South East England Development Agency
South East England Development Agency
SEEDA, more officially the South East England Development Agency, is one of a number of regional development agencies in England. It was set up as a non-departmental public body in 1999 to promote the region and to enable a number of more difficult regeneration projects which otherwise might not...
).