Businesswoman honoured with Deputy Lieutenant appointment

Zoe Brimelow, a director at Manchester-based Duo Packaging Group has been named as one of six new Deputy Lieutenants of Greater Manchester. 

The prestigious appointment was made by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Diane Hawkins, the King’s official representative in the region.

Zoe was honoured for her business expertise, particularly in key areas such as sustainability and trade, while building an established network in the Greater Manchester business community.

Deputy Lieutenants are selected for their significant efforts to enhance the social and cultural fabric of regions, and they serve as representatives of His Majesty The King in the region.

In her voluntary role as Deputy Lieutenant, Zoe will attend public events, as well as other ‘behind the scenes’ activities. These include promoting the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (and assessing applications), the King’s Award for Enterprise, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and Honours System, as well as actively encouraging nominations.

Additionally, she will help to arrange and accompany Royal visits, support the military and cadet forces, and champion local voluntary, charitable, and civic initiatives across Greater Manchester.

Zoe, who is also a Department for Business and Trade Export Champion, said: “It’s an absolute honour to be appointed as one of six new Deputy Lieutenants. To be amongst such prestigious company is a real ‘pinch-me’ moment and an opportunity I’m looking forward to taking on.

“Greater Manchester is an important place, not just for me, personally, but also professionally in my role as a director at Duo Packaging Group. Like the company, I’m born and bred in the region.

“I have a deep connection with the area and want to see it flourish and grow. I’m hoping my role as Deputy Lieutenant will enable me to extend that personal and professional commitment and allow me to fly the flag for Greater Manchester at key events and during important cultural and social initiatives.”

Earlier this year, Zoe was one of 12 female business leaders from across the North of England to celebrate International Women’s Day on a trade mission to the US.

Organised by the Department for Business and Trade, the Northern Powerhouse Women’s International Networking (WIN) trade mission is part of a pilot programme designed to increase the participation of senior female executives in international trade.