Rani Mahal has been confirmed as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The appointment was formally agreed by members of the county's Police and Crime Panel.
Ajmer Kaur (Rani) Mahal - a district councillor representing Glen Ward at Harborough District Council - was announced as Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews' preferred candidate for the role of Deputy PCC earlier this month.
Rani Mahal has extensive experience and skills, both as a district councillor and through her membership with voluntary and charitable organisations.
Alongside her portfolio responsibilities as a councillor, Rani is currently a Board Director of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), sitting on the Investment Panel. She is also a board member of the Leicestershire Asian Business Association and Vice President/Lead for women and political affairs at the organisation.
She has worked relentlessly in and for the community, holding positions within charitable organisations including the Royal Society of Arts (formerly known as the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce). Rani is also an advocate for underrepresented communities as a board member of the Indo British Trade Council and as an international member of the Women's Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI).
During her career, Rani has developed a passion for supporting the vulnerable and promoting opportunities for women with more than a decade of experience as a member of the Conservative Women's Organisation (CWO) and as the current regional president of East Midlands CWO. She is also a former member of Women in Philanthropy in Leicester.
Speaking of her appointment, Rani said: "I am delighted to be approved as Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland's Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner.
"I am grateful to Rupert and his team for having faith in me and giving me the opportunity to put my skills and experience to good use across our communities.
"It is an exciting time to be joining the team and contributing to Rupert's vision for a safer Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Already, the PCC is working hard to deliver on behalf of the public and I hope to use my skills and experience in local government, business and the voluntary and charity sector to push our achievements further and surpass public expectation with a strong response to the issues that are important to them.
"I am really proud to serve the public in this new role and look forward to working with local people, our partners and the force to deliver a first-class service to our communities."
Mr Matthews added: "I am delighted the Police and Crime Panel has endorsed Rani's appointment and I welcome her to this new role.
"I have no doubt Rani will be a valuable asset to my team, lending her extensive experience and background in public life and the charitable/business sector to help make Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland safer.
"Rani's passion for protecting vulnerable people and strengthening the voice of underrepresented groups is very clear from her previous roles. These are areas of my work that I have prioritised in my Police and Crime Plan and I am confident that Rani will be able to take these strands of work forward to deliver further improvements.
"The role of PCCs has grown and evolved considerably. Coupled with the sheer size of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and the scale and variety of challenges posed locally including the recent unrest in East Leicester, the appointment of a Deputy will provide my office with even more resilience and capacity to bring agencies together to deliver solution and reach underheard residents. It will also enable me to devote more time to the issues that concern our communities most.
"In keeping with my pledge to deliver value for money from both my budget and the financial management of the force, the costs of this appointment will be met without impacting the local taxpayer due to the considerable savings my office has already delivered over my predecessor's arrangements."
Rani Mahal first became fascinated by policing 30 years ago, when she wanted to become a Special Constable. Since then, she has worked relentlessly in and for the community including as an advocate for underrepresented communities.
A Volunteer Responder with the Royal Voluntary Service, Rani assisted in the national vaccination programme.
She is a former trustee at LOROS Hospice with nine years' experience of overall governance, strategy and oversight of the charity and attended clinical governance meetings as well as advocated for terminally ill patients.
A former parish councillor at Great Glen Parish Council, Rani has significant scrutiny and oversight experience, particularly in her role as Deputy Chairman for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Area Conservatives within her remit for fundraising and membership.
