The post of Vice Lord-Lieutenant is appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant at his discretion, subject to the approval of The Sovereign. The Vice Lord-Lieutenant undertakes to assist the Lord-Lieutenant in the performance of his duties, also standing in when the Lord-Lieutenant is absent, sick or otherwise unable to act. The Vice Lord-Lieutenant for The West Midlands is Professor Helen Higson OBE.  Helen is  Professor of Higher Education Learning and Management at Aston University. 

Helen’s role at the University currently involves running an academic department and leading on ensuring that Aston Business School’s international accreditations are successfully renewed.

Her career in education has spanned over 37 years and she is a Professor of Higher Education Learning and Management and a National Teaching Fellow (NTF), a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) and a Fellow of the Association of University Administrators (FAUA). She was awarded the OBE in 2011 for services to Higher Education.

Helen is also Chair and a Trustee of the IKON Gallery, Birmingham, Chair of Navitas UK, a member of the Winchester College Governing Body and Vice Chair of Ravensbourne University, London.

Helen is a trained executive coach and works in the areas of intercultural and employability competence development.

Helen was appointed as Vice Lord-Lieutenant in September 2020 for a term of three years.