People are appointed to this role by the Lord-Lieutenant for their service to the community.
The number of Deputy Lieutenants for each county is determined by the population. The Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants assume the post-nominal "DL".
Vice Lord-Lieutenant - The Hon Mrs Charlotte Townshend
Charlotte lives at Melbury House where her family have lived for 500 years. She is the Director of Ilchester Estates and has an interest in the Countryside and the Fine Arts. She was High Sheriff 2005-6 and Governor of three schools in Dorset between 1990 and 2019. She is currently President for Weldmar Hospicecare and Joint President, with her husband James, of the Royal Bath and West Show.
Deputy Lieutenants (as at August 2023):
- The Rt Hon 12th Earl of Shaftesbury DL
- Lt-Col Sally Cadec DL
- Colonel Oliver Chamberlain QVRM TD DL
- Martin Clunes Esq OBE DL
- Mrs Helena Conibear DL
- Mrs Jennifer Coombs DL
- The Rt Hon the Lord Digby DL (Henry)
- Lord Fellowes of West Stafford DL
- James Gibson Fleming Esq DL
- William Fox-Pitt MBE DL
- David Jenkins Esq DL
- Vice Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt KCVO CB OBE DL
- Dr Sibyl King DL
- Sir Christopher Lees Bt DL
- Russell Lucas-Rowe Esq DL
- Mrs Victoria McDonaugh DL
- Cleeves Palmer Esq DL
- The Hon Timothy Palmer DL
- Mrs Catriona Payne DL
- Lady Kate Rock DL
- Dougie Scarfe OBE DL
- Professor Gillian Slater DL
- Ms Jane Stichbury CBE QPM DL
- George Streatfeild Esq MBE DL
- Mrs Jacqueline Swift DL
- The Hon Mrs Townshend DL
- Professor John Vinney DL
- Mrs Minette Walters DL
- Mrs Debbie Ward DL
- Philip Warr Esq DL
- James Weld Esq DL
- Sir Philip Williams Bt MA JP DL
- The Reverend Canon Eric Woods DL
- John Young Esq MC JP DL
- Admiral Sir George Zambellas KCB DSC ADC DL
- Tim Brown Esq MBE DL
- Michael Dooley Esq FRCOG DL