New High Sheriff of Hertfordshire wants to promote youth empowerment

An Aeronautical Engineer has been royally appointed to be this year’s High Sheriff of Hertfordshire.

Lionel Wallace DL has been appointed as Hertfordshire’s new High Sheriff at a declaration ceremony held at St Albans Cathedral yesterday (5 April). He succeeds Henry Holland-Hibbert in the ceremonial role.

He was born and brought up in Hertfordshire and he has been a Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire for over 12 years. He plans to use his year in office to highlight and encourage opportunities for young people to advance, be confident, committed and community minded.

Lionel said: “One of the greatest gifts my parents gave me was the freedom to explore opportunities and be involved in community and leadership activities from an early age.

"I did not appreciate its value fully at the time, but I do now. It is for this reason I am convinced that strong and consistent investment in developing the leadership and civic responsibility attributes of young people will transform both their lives and our entire society’s cohesion.”

The office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political royal appointment made by the Queen. While the role dates back to Saxon times, it has evolved to include a mix of ceremonial, charitable and community functions and is voluntary and unfunded.

High Sheriffs are responsible for supporting visits to their counties by members of the Royal Family and High Court judges. They also encourage engagement with crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and the voluntary sector.

At his declaration ceremony the new High Sheriff launched his Youth in Herts Programme which has three core pillars:

> The Young Leaders Award

> ‘Be Your Own Boss – Hertfordshire’ project

> 30’ Under 30 project.

The Young Leaders Award is a school-based programme empowering young people to practice key leadership skills and character virtues, involving them in transforming communities through social action.

The ‘Be Your Own Boss’ project aims to increase employment opportunities for young people by supporting budding young entrepreneurs to start their own businesses.

30’ Under 30 will seek to promote, attract and support the appointment of more young magistrates to the bench by the Local Advisory Committee.

The High Sheriff also introduced his themes for the High Sheriff Awards, which complement the work of the High Sheriff. These are:

- Empowering Young People to become today’s leaders

- Supporting Young People to serve in unique or new areas of community life.

- Promoting Youth engagement in the Magistracy.

The awards will seek to recognise Hertfordshire voluntary groups and charities supporting these activities. Nominations are to be submitted on August 12 - International Youth Day - online or in person at the High Sheriff’s Youth in Herts Fun Day taking place at the St. Albans Cathedral.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend an awards ceremony in March next year.