Nicola Alberry becomes new High Sheriff for Wiltshire and Swindon

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New High Sheriff of Wiltshire Nicky Alberry

Wiltshire’s new High Sheriff was sworn in on 6 April in a ceremony which dates to Saxon times.

Nicola Alberry, undertook her Declaration and acceptance at the Town Hall in Calne, taking over from Lady Marland. She will be responsible for a number of ceremonial duties during her year of office.

Nicky started her career working for HSBC in corporate banking and recovery. Over the last 25 years she has worked in the world of economic development, public private partnerships. She holds several non-exec board roles including with Business West and GWE Holdings. She is chairman of Swindon Women’s Aid and a director of Swindon Museum and Art Gallery Trust. Nicky set up Swindon Cares 16 years ago which has raised over £250,000 for local charities in Swindon, is an active Rotarian and was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in 2006. She is married to Pete, has two grown up step daughters Charlotte and Rebecca, and is Nanny Nick to two grandsons Cole and Shai.

She said, “I am honoured and privileged to be the High Sheriff of Wiltshire in 2018. During my year I want to raise awareness of the impact of domestic abuse on families and the wider community. Working with Wiltshire Community Foundation I hope to raise funds to support the fantastic work that charities and voluntary organisations do in the county to help and support these victims (both male and female) and their families.”

The High Sheriff is the Sovereign’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.

Their traditional duties include:

  • Attendance on any member of the Royal Family visiting the county
  • Being prepared to be the Returning Officer at parliamentary elections
  • Ensuring the well-being and protection of High Court Judges when they visit the county
  • Presenting court awards