New West Midlands High Sheriff Announced after 20 years as Birmingham Airport Chairman
The Chairman of Birmingham Airport, John Hudson OBE DL, will become the next High Sheriff of the West Midlands, succeeding the incumbent High Sheriff, Keith Bradshaw DL, on the 11th April.
The Office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year and there are 55 High Sheriffs serving the Counties of England and Wales. Their duties include attendance at royal visits in the County and support for Her Majesty's High Court Judges when on Circuit.
They give active support and encouragement to the police and to the emergency services, to the probation and prison services and to other agencies involved with crime prevention, particularly amongst young people.
Commenting on his new position, John Hudson said, “I’m honoured to be invited to become the next High Sheriff of the West Midlands. There tends to be a lack of understanding about the role and its duties so I look forward not only to proudly uphold the key principles of the ancient position to support the Crown and the judiciary but to also enhance people’s understanding of the role.”
Although each High Sheriff will approach their year slightly differently depending on their particular skills, experience and their own areas of interest, the key objectives of the role are:
- To uphold and enhance the ancient Office of High Sheriff and to make a meaningful contribution to the High Sheriff’s County during the year of Office.
- To lend active support to the principal organs of the Constitution within their county – the Royal Family, the Judiciary, the Police and other law enforcement agencies, the emergency services, local authorities, and church and faith groups.
- To ensure the welfare of visiting High Court Judges, to attend on them at Court and to offer them hospitality.
- To support the Lord-Lieutenant on royal visits and on other occasions as appropriate.
- To take an active part in supporting and promoting the voluntary sector and giving all.
John Hudson is also a West Midlands’ Deputy Lieutenant and retires from his position as Chairman of Birmingham Airport after 20 years in July.
John added, “I’m proud to have held the position of Birmingham Airport’s Chairman since 1997, at a time when the airport handled just six million passengers a year; half those seen today. It’s been a privilege to help guide the Airport through huge highs and some challenging lows but I’m pleased to retire from my position at a time of enormous growth and a very bright future - and I look forward to watching it grow from strength to strength.”
Mr Hudson and his wife Connie have been married for 43 years and live in Solihull.