First High Sheriff of Gwent to be appointed by King Charles III

Prof. Simon Gibson, CBE, DL, a resident of Monmouth, was appointed the 50th High Sheriff for Gwent at a declaration ceremony at the International Convention Centre Wales.

The office of High Sheriff is the oldest in the country after the Crown and dates back more than 1,000 years. 

Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent, attended the declaration ceremony with the Mayor of Newport, Martin Kellaway, civic leaders, friends, family and 14 Circuit and District Judges. The Declaration was made before the Honourable Mr Justice Nicholas Francis, Kt, a High Court Judge.

The High Sheriff' is an unpaid, independent, non-political role which dates back to Saxon times and is the oldest royal appointment. High Sheriffs support the Crown, the county's judiciary, magistracy, emergency services, the voluntary sector and encourage interfaith relations.

"I look forward to meeting people across the County of Gwent and highlighting the excellent work being untaken by so many wonderful people working  in the emergency services and voluntary sector" said the new High Sheriff.

After three decades, Gwent has a new Under Sheriff. Natalie Sandercock is a Barrister from Abergavenny and is appointed to sit as a Deputy District Judge on the Wales Circuit. The Chaplain to the High Sheriff is Katie McColgan, the Chair of the Interfaith Council for Wales.

Sue Gibson will be the High Sheriff's Consort during the 2023-2024 Shrieval year.