The High Sheriff of Berkshire

An historic office serving the Royal County of Berkshire

Contact the High Sheriff

Welcome

The High Sheriff of Berkshire is the Sovereign’s representative for law and order in the county. It is the oldest secular office in the United Kingdom, with roots stretching back over a thousand years. Today, the role of the sheriff focusses on supporting the judiciary, police, voluntary sector and community life.

The current High Sheriff is Sean Taylor, appointed for 2025–26. A business leader and active supporter of local charities, Sean’s shrieval year is dedicated to the theme of education, and his nominated charities are Berkshire Community Foundation and Learning to Work.

Meet the High Sheriff and Team

Learn more about Sean Taylor, the Under Sheriff, and the Chaplain, and their roles in serving Berkshire through ceremony,
law, and community engagement.

Sean Taylor DL

The High Sheriff

Jonathan Gater

The Under-Sheriff

Reverend Gareth Morley

Chaplain to the High Sheriff
Meet the High Sheriff

History of the High Sheriff

Discover the origins of the office from Saxon times to the present day, including its powers, traditions, and how the role has evolved over the centuries.

Discover the History

The High Sheriff’s Awards

Nominate candidates from within Berkshire for the High Sheriff’s annual awards.
Nominate a Candidate

Events Attendance

See recent highlights of the High Sheriff’s work across Berkshire.
Discover Recent Events

Events

This is my last post as High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire!
This throwback photo is from my swearing-in ceremony a year ago at Reading Crown Court, which is where I will be heading this afternoon as Ren Kapur MBE takes over the role.
It has been a wonderful privilege and kept me busy, with over 150 engagements. Visits have included to: elements of the judiciary (Crown, magistrates, coroners, tribunals and family courts); the police (seeing forensics, armed response units, traffic, citizen engagement and a very busy ride-along night); support services such as probation and justice services; prisons; hospitals, including Broadmoor; memorial services ((sometimes with inspections), including D Day, VJ Day, Battle of Britain, freedom of town marches, Greenham); citizenship ceremonies across all six unitaries; multiple awards ceremonies (sometimes as a judge); school talks (as part of my theme for the year of education); four state visits; and of course the majority of trips to some of the incredible charity and voluntary organisations that underpin our county.
It was a pleasure to host a Summer Reception, the Judicial Service, the High Sheriff`s Awards at The Vicars` Hall, Windsor Castle and the regional High Sheriffs` event at Monkey Island.
I was pleased to worked alongside @berkshirecommunityfoundation and @learningtowork as my two nominated charities for the year and to try to support many other charity/voluntary/community groups as I could.
It was also a pleasure working with the `Thames Valley posse` of @hisheriffbucks and @highsheriffoxfordshire.
I wish @renkapur all the best with her 12 months and hope they don`t fly by too quickly.
Thank you finally to everyone I have met during my term as High Sheriff for helping define the very best of our community.

23 5
Open post by berkshighsheriff with ID 18076524719451444
This is my last post as High Sheriff of the Royal County of Berkshire! This throwback photo is from my swearing-in ceremony a year ago at Reading Crown Court, which is where I will be heading this afternoon as Ren Kapur MBE takes over the role. It has been a wonderful privilege and kept me busy, with over 150 engagements. Visits have included to: elements of the judiciary (Crown, magistrates, coroners, tribunals and family courts); the police (seeing forensics, armed response units, traffic, citizen engagement and a very busy ride-along night); support services such as probation and justice services; prisons; hospitals, including Broadmoor; memorial services ((sometimes with inspections), including D Day, VJ Day, Battle of Britain, freedom of town marches, Greenham); citizenship ceremonies across all six unitaries; multiple awards ceremonies (sometimes as a judge); school talks (as part of my theme for the year of education); four state visits; and of course the majority of trips to some of the incredible charity and voluntary organisations that underpin our county. It was a pleasure to host a Summer Reception, the Judicial Service, the High Sheriff's Awards at The Vicars' Hall, Windsor Castle and the regional High Sheriffs' event at Monkey Island. I was pleased to worked alongside @berkshirecommunityfoundation and @learningtowork as my two nominated charities for the year and to try to support many other charity/voluntary/community groups as I could. It was also a pleasure working with the 'Thames Valley posse' of @hisheriffbucks and @highsheriffoxfordshire. I wish @renkapur all the best with her 12 months and hope they don't fly by too quickly. Thank you finally to everyone I have met during my term as High Sheriff for helping define the very best of our community.

…

23 5

This morning I visited West Berkshire YJST (Youth Justice Support Team) in Newbury (a service offered by @westberkshire), where I was hosted by their excellent Service Manager, Dave Wraight, and met many of the team.
YJST works with children (aged 10 to 18) with the aim of preventing them from offending, reoffending, and helping them to engage in activities to fulfil their potential. The service is made up of social workers, an education worker, a police officer, health workers, probation and restorative justice workers. The team involves people from these different agencies to help access the services children need to help turn them away from crime. Through close multi-agency and partnership working, the YJST is committed to keeping crime low and diverting children away from the criminal justice system.
Dave provided an excellent overview of YJST and data on its learnings from interventions and the efficacy of the service. I wish I had met him earlier in my shrieval journey as the organisation covers so many facets that are core to the High Sheriff role.
Thank you Dave and your team for hosting and for the very valuable support you provide.

15 1
Open post by berkshighsheriff with ID 18126436462569043
This morning I visited West Berkshire YJST (Youth Justice Support Team) in Newbury (a service offered by @westberkshire), where I was hosted by their excellent Service Manager, Dave Wraight, and met many of the team. YJST works with children (aged 10 to 18) with the aim of preventing them from offending, reoffending, and helping them to engage in activities to fulfil their potential. The service is made up of social workers, an education worker, a police officer, health workers, probation and restorative justice workers. The team involves people from these different agencies to help access the services children need to help turn them away from crime. Through close multi-agency and partnership working, the YJST is committed to keeping crime low and diverting children away from the criminal justice system. Dave provided an excellent overview of YJST and data on its learnings from interventions and the efficacy of the service. I wish I had met him earlier in my shrieval journey as the organisation covers so many facets that are core to the High Sheriff role. Thank you Dave and your team for hosting and for the very valuable support you provide.

…

15 1

On Friday I also visited The Dash Charity @thedashcharity (Domestic Abuse Stops Here). The organisation has been supporting people experiencing domestic abuse in the communities of East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire for over 45 years. It was uplifting to hear the stories of victims who have been provided the chance to start new lives.
For safety reasons I have blanked out the lovely team who hosted me.
Thank you for the opportunities you offer women, children and men to rebuild.

26 0
Open post by berkshighsheriff with ID 18074949686631439
On Friday I also visited The Dash Charity @thedashcharity (Domestic Abuse Stops Here). The organisation has been supporting people experiencing domestic abuse in the communities of East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire for over 45 years. It was uplifting to hear the stories of victims who have been provided the chance to start new lives. For safety reasons I have blanked out the lovely team who hosted me. Thank you for the opportunities you offer women, children and men to rebuild.

…

26 0

More Events

Contact the High Sheriff

Find out how to invite the High Sheriff to your event.

Contact the High Sheriff