A SUCCESSFUL businesswoman who is heavily involved in the voluntary and charitable sectors has been appointed Lord-Lieutenant for North Yorkshire.

Johanna Ropner has been confirmed as the Queen’s representative for the county which is the largest geographic lieutenancy in England.

She succeeds the late Barry Dodd CBE who died in a helicopter crash in Aldborough in May.

Mrs Ropner said: “It is a huge honour to have been appointed as Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire after the tragic death of Barry Dodd CBE.

“I look forward to continuing his good work whilst creating fresh opportunities in the county.”

Mrs Ropner is a director of New England Seafood International and lives in Kirklington near Bedale.