Edward (Ted) James Allen

Born at Butleigh, near Glastonbury, Edward (Ted) Allen lives in the family home near Shepton Mallet with his two dogs. His family have lived in the area for over 450 years. He has 2 married sons; Jonathan, an Airline Captain based at Gatwick (with two daughters) and Nigel, a stage and screen actor.

Educated at Wells and Bristol, Ted served in the former Bristol Constabulary and then Avon and Somerset Police and, after a range of specialist roles and responsibilities – including being the regular ‘face’ of the Police on the weekly HTV ‘Police 5’ programme, spent six years as a Chief Superintendent, District Commander of East Somerset.

After leaving the Police in 2001 he became Director of Business for The Marine Society and Sea Cadets (MSSC) based in Lambeth, London and then in 2008 became CEO of a child medical and welfare charity operating in Western Kenya. He is a Trustee of the Royal Bath and West Society and a Trustee and former President of the Mid Somerset Show Society.

Ted, a Deputy Lieutenant since 2009, was appointed Vice Lord-Lieutenant in January 2023.