HIGH SHERIFF     Mrs Karen Lynch MBE 2025 - 2026

The office of High Sheriff is one of only two royal appointments in the county and has been extant since Saxon times. Historically, the Sheriff was responsible for raising troops, collecting taxes and catching criminals, all of which powers have over time been taken on by others.

It is now a non-political, voluntary appointment for one year. The principal responsibilities involve support for the four main pillars of the Justice system, namely the Police and other law enforcement agencies, the Judiciary, the Prison Service and the Probation Service, alongside supporting the voluntary sector to build social cohesion.

On Maundy Thursday the ancient ceremony was held to transfer the title of High Sheriff from Rajvinder Kaur Gill to Karen Jane Lynch MBE in the historic Nisi Prius Court at The Old Shire Hall in Warwick.

Karen became Warwickshire’s 691st High Sheriff and will serve the County for the 2025/26 Shrieval year.

“I am approaching my year through a theme of collaboration for social impact. I truly believe that when we extend the hand of friendship and work together across sectors and across communities, we solve problems and realise opportunities we could not reach alone.”