IANS

London, Sep 5: A new chapter has been added to the chronicle of high-achieving Indians abroad with the appointment of Chennai-born Paul Chandrashekharan Sabapathy as the new Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands, based in Birmingham.

Sabapathy came to the UK in 1964 as a 21-year-old, after studying at Lawrence School, Lovedale, and the Madras Christian College. He studied for a Masters degree from Aston University and qualified as a chartered management accountant.

He went on to achieve several distinctions, including being appointed the first non-white chairman of a British University - he is the Chairman and pro-chancellor of the University of Central England, and is due to retire next April.

Sabapathy, who became a British citizen in 1984, succeeds Sir Robert Taylor as the new Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands. He was awarded the OBE for services to urban regeneration in 1995 and a CBE in 2004 for services to business and education in the West Midlands.

After a 28-year career in industry holding senior positions with IMI plc, and retiring as assistant managing director of IMI Titanium in 1996, he became the chief executive of North Birmingham Community NHS Trust, serving until 2000.

In his new post, he will host and accompany all royal visits to the region. His duties will include the presentation of medals on behalf of Her Majesty and leading the local magistracy by chairing the advisory committee on Justices of the Peace. It will also include liaison with local armed forces and cadets, as well as other civic, voluntary and social duties.

Sabapathy proudly calls himself a Brummie - a term referring to people living in Birmingham. Overwhelmed by the appointment, Sabapathy told the local media: "I never ever thought of it at all. It was totally a bolt from the blue.

"We got a call from Downing Street to check whether they had the right address. My wife mentioned it and we assumed it was something to do with the National Health Service, as I'm vice chair of the Primary Care Trust network nationally.

"I was totally overwhelmed when I found out about the appointment. I never ever thought of it at all. I've been to Aston University, I've worked in the West Midlands and my two sons went to King Edwards’ schools.

"I'm proud to be a Brummie and I accept this role with pride. It is putting something back. There are so many charities and so many people doing voluntary work and I want them to be recognised and celebrated.

"The word duty is an old fashioned word but everyone talks so much about their rights. We need to talk more about duties." He said the role allowed him to give something back to the city, which had been "great" for him, since arriving in the country as a 21-year-old.

Sabapathy is also a trustee of the Refugee Council and the New Walsall Art Gallery. He is a Fellow of Royal Society of Arts.