Robert Hiscox sworn in as High Sheriff

Robert Hiscox has been sworn in as the new High Sheriff of Wiltshire.

In a ceremony which dates back to Saxon times, the Hiscox chairman undertook his declaration and acceptance at Salisbury Law Courts, taking over from Dame Elizabeth Neville, DBE, QPM.

Hiscox, who lives in Marlborough, will be responsible for a number of ceremonial duties during his year of office. His principal charitable interests centre around helping older and vulnerable people, diverting young people from crime and the arts.

He said: “I am delighted and privileged to be the High Sheriff of Wiltshire and Swindon for a year. I love Wiltshire and am looking forward to discovering what goes on behind the scenes to make the county work as well as it does, and doing what I can to help.”

The High Sheriff is the Queen’s representative in the county for matters of law and order and the judiciary. It is the oldest secular office in England and Wales after the Crown and modern High Sheriffs still have a close relationship with judges, magistrates, the police, the coroner and the probation service.