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 Ren Kapur MBE, appointed for 2026–27. A business leader and long‑standing champion of public service, Ren’s shrieval year is focused on supporting young people and celebrating the vital contribution of volunteers across the Royal County of Berkshire.

Meet the High Sheriff and Team

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

Ren Kapur MBE

The High Sheriff

Jonathan Gater

The Under-Sheriff

Reverend David Chislett

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

Yesterday, I had the honour of attending the 101 Squadron Memorial Service at RAF Welford and laying a wreath in remembrance of the Lancaster crew who tragically lost their lives on 31 March 1944.

Standing alongside RAF Welford Museum representatives, USAF personnel, veterans, and members of our local community was a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and service that continue to shape our freedoms today.

It was deeply moving to reflect on the legacy of these airmen, ordinary individuals who displayed extraordinary bravery. Their memory is woven into the history of Berkshire, and it is our duty to ensure their stories live on.

My sincere thanks to the RAF Welford Museum team, the USAF 420th Munitions Squadron, and hosts Miss Zoey Peace and RAF Commander Jayne Robertson for their warm welcome and for the care and respect shown throughout the ceremony. And thank you to veteran Dougie Thomson from my team for accompanying me.

We remember them.
We honour them.
We continue their legacy.

#HighSheriffBerkshire #Remembrance #101Squadron #RAF

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Open post by berkshighsheriff with ID 18099610229287769
Yesterday, I had the honour of attending the 101 Squadron Memorial Service at RAF Welford and laying a wreath in remembrance of the Lancaster crew who tragically lost their lives on 31 March 1944. Standing alongside RAF Welford Museum representatives, USAF personnel, veterans, and members of our local community was a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and service that continue to shape our freedoms today. It was deeply moving to reflect on the legacy of these airmen, ordinary individuals who displayed extraordinary bravery. Their memory is woven into the history of Berkshire, and it is our duty to ensure their stories live on. My sincere thanks to the RAF Welford Museum team, the USAF 420th Munitions Squadron, and hosts Miss Zoey Peace and RAF Commander Jayne Robertson for their warm welcome and for the care and respect shown throughout the ceremony. And thank you to veteran Dougie Thomson from my team for accompanying me. We remember them. We honour them. We continue their legacy. #HighSheriffBerkshire #Remembrance #101Squadron #RAF

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On Friday, the Royal County of Berkshire marked a special moment of transition.

As Sean Taylor DL completed his year of service, we thanked him for his dedication, integrity, and unwavering commitment to our community.

And today, we look ahead with pride as we welcome Lt. Col Ren Kapur MBE, newly sworn in as High Sheriff, as she begins her year championing young people and celebrating volunteers across Berkshire.

Thank you, Sean and welcome, Ren.

A proud handover, and an exciting year ahead for our county.

#highsheriff #berkshire #service #community #leadership

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Open post by berkshighsheriff with ID 18409744219133357
On Friday, the Royal County of Berkshire marked a special moment of transition. As Sean Taylor DL completed his year of service, we thanked him for his dedication, integrity, and unwavering commitment to our community. And today, we look ahead with pride as we welcome Lt. Col Ren Kapur MBE, newly sworn in as High Sheriff, as she begins her year championing young people and celebrating volunteers across Berkshire. Thank you, Sean and welcome, Ren. A proud handover, and an exciting year ahead for our county. #highsheriff #berkshire #service #community #leadership

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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.

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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.

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Contact the High Sheriff