Leading business figures appointed deputy lieutenants

Doug Wright

Three leading business figures have been appointed to be deputy lieutenants of West Midlands.

McDonald’s franchisee Doug Wright, music and events entrepreneur Ninder Johal and former Deloitte partner Chris Loughran have been chosen by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant John Crabtree.

Doug Wright has been a franchisee since 2002 and now owns 18 McDonald’s across the West Midlands, employing more than 2,000 people.

He was instrumental in establishing the Ronald McDonald House by the Birmingham Children’s Hospital and has devoted himself for many years to fundraising and supporting the families that use the facility.

Wright said: “I’m really looking forward to this new role and to making the West Midlands an even better place to live and work within.

“I also want to ensure that we recognise and reward individuals and companies who make a difference and who ultimately improve the vitality and vibrancy of this great region.

“I think it’s really important that we all work collaboratively to achieve this.”

Ninder Johal, speaking at a TheBusinessDesk.com event in December 2018

Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership board member Ninder Johal said it was a “great honour” to be appointed.

Johal is also a board member of the West Midlands Growth Company, and his other appointments include roles with Sandwell College, Victoria Academy, and Wolverhampton University.

He said: “I have always said that our region has some fantastic businesses and a real ‘can do’ attitude and if I can assist these organisations and individuals who do a great job for their community – then I will have done my job.”

Chris Loughran is the current High Sheriff of the West Midlands. He spent five years as the senior partner of Deloitte’s Midlands practice, up to 2015, and more recently has been on the boards of the West Midlands Growth Company, the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and the CBSO Development Trust.

The trio join a number of other high-profile business people who are deputy lieutenants, including Paul Bassi, Anita Bhalla, Steve Hollis, Fleur Sexton, Paul Thandi and Stewart Towe.

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