Chiswick Man Is Appointed High Sheriff Of Greater London

Service of Dedication takes place at the parish church of St Nicholas

Chiswick resident Mr. David Jones has been appointed by HM the Queen as High Sheriff of Greater London.  He was sworn into his new role by the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales on 21st April.  

The appointment was celebrated with a Service of Dedication at the parish church of St Nicholas in Chiswick last week (May 21) with the new High Sheriff making a public declaration of his oath of office and a celebration of Justice in the whole of the County of Greater London

The High Sheriff David Jones with his wife Elizabeth and son

It was a very colourful occasion which was attended by The Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir David Brewer and several Senior judges.  Many Mayors were there, including the new Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Sachin Gupta and Assistant Police Commissioners, Prison Governors and Chief Executives of Prison Charities, Police Cadets and many distinguished citizens of Greater London. The sermon was given by the Bishop of Kensington, The Right Rev Paul Williams.

The service started with a fanfare of trumpets and a procession including the The Lord Lieutenant and Judges in ceremonial wear and Richmond Herald from The College of Arms. The High Sheriff's son Gus (aged 12) was a sword bearer.  Around 280 guests came and the service was followed by a Reception in the family's garden near to the church.     

In his statement Mr. Jones said;  "It was a great honour to receive so many distinguished representatives of Justice in London at my Service of Dedication to the office of High Sheriff. We were thrilled to have our superb volunteer police cadets attending. The UK is renowned for having the finest justice system in the world, the best police forces in the world, with the name of the Met paramount."

David Jones is married to Elizabeth and the couple have lived in Chiswick for sixteen years with their three children, Misha, Gus and Anastasia.

The High Sheriff is an annual royal appointment and one of the oldest offices in the land dating back to the seventh century. Today the High Sheriff's area of activity remains upholding and supporting justice in the broadest sense: police, courts, prisons, the probation service, offenders, victims and all who support them.

Judges gathering prior to the service

The role calls on him to give public recognition to people who have done especially good service; bring together the different strands of justice: seek to encourage those that do difficult jobs on behalf of Londoners; and facilitate things which need doing.

Greater London comprises all the London boroughs but not the City of London. David Jones is High Sheriff of Greater London.

David Jones was educated at Eton College, where he took the Keynes Prize for Economics and a competitive leaving exhibition to Magdalene College, Cambridge. He holds an M.A. in Economics and Law. He has worked in international investments in San Francisco, Chicago, New York and London and continues this work as a partner of Oldfield Partners.

He is chairman of New Model School Company, a not-for-profit enterprise, providing education at an affordable price in three London primary schools. He is a member of the court of the Fishmongers' Company, a City livery company founded in 1275 with charitable activities in the fishing industry and education.

May 25, 2013