4 new Deputy Lieutenants have been appointed to assist and support the Lord-Lieutenant as The King’s representative in Somerset.
They are Mary Ellis (66), from Wells, Nickie Gething (64), from Bruton. Alastair Martin (aged 65), from Wookey, near Wells and Linda Nash (67), from Clevedon.
Commenting on her appointment, Mary Ellis said today:
It is a real honour to be appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in Somerset. I am looking forward to serving the entire county, in particular the Wells area where I grew up and have such a strong connection.
Nickie Gething echoed those sentiments, adding:
I feel privileged to have been given this opportunity.
Alastair Martin said:
I will be pleased to be of some assistance to the Lord-Lieutenant, particular in the context of rural community and sustainability issues.
Linda Nash said:
It’s a real honour and I’m really looking forward to supporting and celebrating the incredible achievements of our wonderful community.
Welcoming their appointments, which have been sanctioned by His Majesty The King, Somerset’s Lord-Lieutenant, Mohammed Saddiq, said today:
I am delighted to welcome these four outstanding individuals as Deputy Lieutenants for Somerset.
Each brings a wealth of experience and commitment to serving our communities and they will make a significant contribution to the life of our county.
Biographies
Mary Ellis JP
Mary grew up in Vicars Close, Wells, as her father was a member of the Vicars Choral at Wells Cathedral. The experience of living in a musical household has stayed with her. She has moved to various places in Somerset and is now living back in her home city.
After leaving school, Mary worked as a civil servant, became a director of a family business and then trained as a riding instructor. In later years she taught music and supported children with additional needs in a small primary school, whilst studying for a BA in Humanities with Philosophy.
Mary has always held voluntary roles, including with the National Association of Ladies Circles, District Commissioner of Mendip Farmers Pony Club and, more recently, President of City of Wells Lions.
In 2008 Mary was appointed a Justice of the Peace. Her public service as a magistrate now takes her to Criminal and Family courts throughout the Avon and Somerset Bench. In addition, Mary is part of the Magistrate Recruitment Advisory Committee and is a Mentor to new appointees.
Mary’s love of music includes the practical, as she plays the cello in various groups, in particular the Mid-Somerset Orchestra. Her love of all performing arts and interest in other cultures is often combined in her travels. Mary’s 2 children, each of whom have two children, live in Somerset.
Nickie Gething
Nickie was born in Cambridge and has lived near Bruton in Somerset for 22 years.
After completing a BA in Political Science at Columbia University, New York, she worked at Financial News Network (now CNBC) as an Associate Producer and remained in the US for 8 years.
Nickie is a trustee of a Somerset-based mentoring charity, PROMISEworks.
On her return to England from the US, Nickie worked as a TV journalist for Worldwide Television News (now Associated Press Television News).
Subsequently, she volunteered with RAPt in Wandsworth prison, working with a team to encourage inmates to join their rehabilitation programme. She volunteered at The Balsam Centre in Wincanton, Somerset, helping to raise funds and assist with the running of their youth club programme. During COVID, she ran a local food collection and delivery project.
In 2019, Nickie trained as a volunteer with PROMISEworks and has mentored 2 young men. She has also helped raise funds and develop the charity’s impact measurement report. She became a trustee with the charity in 2024.
Nickie firmly believes in the power of long-term mentoring, especially for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. A recent mission has been to liaise with other local charities in a collaborative approach to share learning between youth and mentoring organisations.
Married for 35 years, Nickie has three grown up children and relishes the joy of living in the beautiful Somerset countryside.
Alastair Martin CVO
Born into a farming family, Alastair attended the Blue School in Wells and then, after going to college at Cirencester, he qualified as a chartered surveyor, before moving back to Wells.
He practiced as a rural chartered surveyor, based in Wells, for almost 30 years where his firm was successively styled as King Miles, Alder King, Dreweatt Neate and then Carter Jonas.
In 2013 he left his firm to run the Duchy of Cornwall and then with the accession of His Majesty King Charles to the Crown, Alastair followed in 2024 to run the Duchy of Lancaster. Alastair is also trustee of several estates from Somerset up to Scotland.
Alastair and his wife, Esme, live at Fenny Castle near Wells and have 2 adult children. He tries to make time for racket sports, countryside activities and, with his children, supporting Fulham Football Club.
Linda Nash
Linda Nash was born in South London and trained as a professional singer and teacher.
She moved to Somerset in 1987, where a desire to contribute to community life led her to chair the local branch of the National Childbirth Trust and serve as a Parish Councillor.
After stepping back from professional performance, following the birth of her children, she became actively involved in maternity services, an early expression of her deep commitment to public service.
Over the next 25 years, Linda developed a distinguished leadership career across health, housing, and education. She chaired major organisations, including Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Knightstone Housing, and LiveWest Ltd, where she led one of the sector’s largest mergers and guided the organisation through transformation and the COVID crisis. Most recently, she chaired King’s Schools, Taunton, until her retirement in July 2025.
Nationally, she served as Lay Trustee and Audit Chair at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and chaired the NHS National Advisory Panel for Foundation Trust Governors. A founding Director of Nash Bevan Associates Ltd, she has worked extensively with private equity and executive development.
Not wanting to lose touch with her musical roots, Linda has continued to sing and, as a charitable trustee, chaired the Amici Chamber Choir for many years, stepping down in July 2025. A qualified executive coach, her work continues to be shaped by a belief in compassion, community, lifelong learning, and principled leadership.
Linda has recently moved with her husband Andrew to Clevedon and has 4 grown-up children living in Somerset and abroad
