New High Sheriff determined to be champion for beloved Shropshire

Tony, who lives near Newport, is head of the West Midlands office of high-end property agent Savills.

As a senior director, he is a specialist in the sale of large farms and estates and large residential country houses.

He will be supported in his shrieval year by wife Clare. The couple have three grown-up children.

The office of High Sheriff dates back 1,000 years but Tony is determined to show that it is every bit as relevant in the 21st century as it was in the 10th. In fact, he believes the role, amid the drastic fallout from the Covid pandemic, has never been more important.

He said: “My aim is to champion Shropshire within the county and further afield. I am acutely aware that 2020/21 has been terrible for many in the county. The pandemic has clearly had an enormous effect on us all, some to their health, whether physical or mental, or others financial.

“My aim is to encourage, influence and publicise the efforts of many facets of Shropshire, from the NHS and individual people to businesses and charities. For example, I am aiming to do all I can to promote tourism in our county on a variety of platforms, both traditional and through social media. The industry has always been an essential part of Shropshire’s economy with so many dependent on it for their livelihoods.

“Unfortunately, it has been badly hit by Covid restrictions, with travel limited and visitor attractions, hotels, pubs and cafes either closed or restricted in what they have been able to offer. Businesses have struggled and many have lost their jobs as a result.”

Tony has already contacted Shropshire Council’s tourism development arm and the promotional groups Visit Shropshire and Virtual Shropshire to see how he can help.

“Shropshire is a wonderful county, with breath-taking countryside, a colourful history and a rich architectural heritage. It has so much to offer not only visitors from outside but those of us who live here, that I believe tourism will help to drive our economic recovery.

“Tourism aside, I am aiming to do all I can to support and enable economic regeneration in general. Employment and training opportunities are vital parts of that,” added Tony, who will be supported in his year by Under Sheriff Madeleine Butcher and his Chaplain, Reverend Christine Simpson, Rural Dean of Hodnet.

Tony thanked outgoing High Sheriff Dean Harris for her efforts on behalf of the county during a very challenging past year.

He said: “Dean started her year of office during the first national lockdown when it was clear that the conventional way of doing the job wasn’t going to be an option. It is fair to say that Dean has risen to the challenge and very much put her own stamp on the role.”

Though Tony’s initial meetings have been via zoom or on the phone, he hopes that the easing of Covid restrictions will allow more public attendances and meetings in person as his year progresses.

The office of High Sheriff is certainly a part of the nation’s colourful history, having been around since 943.

“The High Sheriff in those days collected the king’s debts, maintained law and order and, somewhat macabrely, oversaw public hangings! A High Sheriff of yesteryear was not always a popular person,” Tony explained with a smile.

“Today the role is largely ceremonial. The Lord Lieutenant is now the senior role and the Queen’s ambassador in the county.

"The High Sheriff’s responsibilities include making a valid contribution to county life and supporting and encouraging the judiciary, emergency services, voluntary sector, crown/Lord Lieutenant, all faith groups, anything to do with crime prevention and also our two local authorities.

“There are still some ceremonial duties when The Queen or members of the royal family visit, but the greater role is to be a force for good in the county.”

The High Sheriff’s traditional costume, still worn today, is a throwback to its historical origins but Tony plans to use it sparingly as he wants to emphasise the role’s relevance to the 21 st century.

The role is unpaid and, in practice, holders of the office are usually significantly out of pocket in funding their shrievalty. Tony plans to carry on his Savills’ role through his year of office.

He added: “Part of the High Sheriff’s job, as I see it, is to champion the many unsung heroes of the county, such as the police, firefighters, doctors and nurses, charity workers and the many volunteers in all walks of life. One of my particular charities will be The Midland Air Ambulance.”

He added: “I am determined as High Sheriff to make a difference to our county and those that live in it. We have a special county and need to be proud of it, particularly through these difficult times.”