Sarah Clarke will be known as the Lady Usher of the Black Rod
The Queen has presented the first female Black Rod with her ceremonial staff, marking the historic appointment.
The monarch invested Sarah Clarke as Lady Usher of the Black Rod in the private audience room at Buckingham Palace, by presenting her with the thin, ebony Black Rod and chain of office.
Ms Clarke is the first woman to hold the post in the House of Lords in the 650-year history of the role.
She has taken over from former Black Rod David Leakey, and met the Queen ahead of her formal introduction into the Lords next week.
Black Rod is the senior official responsible for maintaining order at the House of Lords, and is thrust into the spotlight each year at the State Opening of Parliament, when sent to bang on the door of the House of Commons to summon MPs to hear the Queen’s Speech.
Ms Clarke was responsible for the organisation of the annual Wimbledon tournament as championships director at the All-England Lawn Tennis Club, and has previously held roles at four Olympic Games, the London Marathon and UK Sport.
Black Rod is appointed by the monarch, and the Queen approved Ms Clarke’s position in November, on the recommendation of a selection panel chaired by the Lord Speaker.
Miss Clarke shows her staff of office to the Queen when she was received at Buckingham Palace today
The present rod dates from 1883 and is emblazoned with the heraldic motto “Honi soit qui mal y pense”, translated as “Shame be to him, who evil thinks”.
It is three-and-a-half feet long, decorated with a gold lion and garter and has a gold orb as a chivalric centrepiece.
As well as organising access to and maintaining order within the House of Lords, Black Rod acts as secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain, with responsibility for major ceremonial events in the Palace of Westminster.
Ms Clarke has said she is “both deeply honoured and delighted” to be offered the post.
The exclusively male holders of the role up until now have been known as the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.
‘Over many years I have been fortunate to work at the heart of some of the world’s most complex events and institutions,’ she said.
‘To be given the opportunity to join such an experienced and dedicated team is a great privilege.
‘The House of Lords is a place where the smallest detail is as important as the big picture and the depth of heritage and tradition is second to none. I am truly looking forward to starting work.’
The Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord Fowler, said: ‘I am very pleased to welcome Sarah Clarke to the role of Black Rod.
‘As the first woman to take on the role, this is a historic moment for the House.
‘The Lords has a great record of women taking on senior political roles. Five of the last seven Leaders of the Lords and the current Leader of the Opposition have been women as well as both my predecessors as Lord Speaker.
‘I am sure Sarah will continue that tradition and do an exemplary job as Black Rod.’
Lord Fowler added: ‘People are most familiar with Black Rod for the part they play at State Opening, but the job is much more than that.
Miss Clarke (left) is the first female Black Rod in the 650-year history of the House of Lords position
Miss Clarke will take over the senior executive position when its current holder David Leakey (pictured right) steps down at the end of this year
‘Some of the most important work happens behind the scenes in organising addresses to Parliament by visiting heads of state and other state events, as well as ensuring we have appropriate plans in place to keep the important work of the Lords going in a crisis.
‘Sarah’s fantastic record at Wimbledon and elsewhere shows she is the right person for the task.’