Who is the High Sheriff?

In March each year, the Queen appoints a new High Sheriff in Surrey. Historically this man or woman has been the Sovereign's legal representative in the county and the role is one of the oldest in the land, dating back to Anglo-Saxon times (the name then was 'Shire Reeve').

The High Sheriff of Surrey for 2012-13 is Dr Helen Bowcock DL. The badge she wears shows a green star with 11 points, one for each borough or district in the county.

She is very much looking forward to welcoming to the county a visiting High Court judge in June, to visiting the courts and many different charities around the county. She has a particular interest in those charities that are using the arts to deliver social value and in philanthropists in Surrey, both past and present. In her travels she intends to promote the aims and objectives of the High Sheriff Youth awards and to visiting some of the award recipients.

When members of the Royal Family come to Surrey to visit people, projects and places, Helen Bowcock is one of those who welcome them. The historic Service for the Judiciary in October is one of many ceremonial duties during her year as High Sheriff. Wearing a distinctive High Sheriff's uniform, she leads a procession of Her Majesty's judges and magistrates through the centre of Guildford, so maintaining links with law and order in Surrey that go back more than 10 centuries.