On Maundy Thursday the ancient ceremony was held to transfer the title of High Sheriff from Sophie Hilleary to Rajvinder Kaur Gill in the former courthouse at The Old Shire Hall in Warwick.
Rajvinder Kaur Gill became Warwickshire’s 690th High Sheriff and will serve the County for the 2024/25 Shrieval year.
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.
Rajvinder was born in Kent and bought up by her parents who came over from Punjab in the 1960’s. She is one of five siblings, her father had a good level of education and soon went into business.
As children Rajvinder helped with the family businesses, her father always encouraged her to achieve in a good education so that she could always stand on her own two feet. The advice that she took most from her parents was, in essence: hard work and the importance of education.
1989 bought Rajvinder into Warwickshire when she married her husband, Jagtar Singh Gill, OBE of thirty-five years. Settling into the scenic county of Warwickshire in the heart of Royal Leamington Spa, she commenced work in Administration for Warwickshire County Council running the Youth Training Scheme. After ten years with the Council, her role took her to working for Calor Gas, when they first opened in Warwick followed by a few years as HR Manager for the Woodwards Department Store. Her employment days came to a halt in 2001 when she left work to focus on the family business with her husband.
Rajvinder had three beautiful children – Gurjeevan, Gursimar & Harveer – who have made her so proud with their own achievements. Gurjeevan is married to Nikarkar who have just recently given birth to a beautiful daughter.
Her interest in law and order from a young age was enhanced by being appointed a Magistrates for the Coventry and Warwickshire Bench. In 2016.
Crime prevention and community safety are at the forefront of her priorities over the coming year. Her focus will be on supporting Warwickshire’s youth, in an attempt to reduce crime and invest in their safety and education, providing them with opportunities and empowering them to make a positive impact.
Speaking of her appointment to the office of High Sheriff for 2024/25, Rajvinder Kaur Gill, said: “It is a huge honour and a privilege to serve the people of Warwickshire. The day was made special as it was marked by the presence of friends, family, Warwickshire Police cadets, Honourable Judges and Civic Guests. I am very keen to actively support and encourage in crime prevention projects in our county and support Crimebeat charity that gives recognition to innovative and successful crime prevention projects carried out by young people.
“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone whose support and trust has allowed me to undertake this esteemed position. A role of great importance to the County of Warwickshire and the Sikh Community as, after over 1000 years of history of the Office of High Sheriff, I am the first Sikh woman to take this ancient role in the UK.”
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “We are so fortunate that we live in Warwickshire, a county with a wide array of outstanding natural beauty and equally outstanding organisations, independent businesses and communities who all work tirelessly together to make this county the best it can be.
“We are also very fortunate to have had a succession of outstanding High Sheriff’s in Warwickshire who have such a deep understanding of the County and the drive to want to make a positive impact during their time in the role.
“On behalf of Warwickshire County Council and the whole of Warwickshire, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Raji Kaur Gill to the Office of High Sheriff and hope that she has a great year in this most ancient of roles.”
Tim Cox, Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, said: "I was delighted to attend the inauguration of our new High Sheriff Raji Kaur Gill and I very much look forward to working with her in the coming year."
The High Sheriff is, these days, an unfunded ceremonial position, supporting the judiciary and the uniformed public services as well as charities and voluntary groups working for the benefit of society.
If you would like to donate to the Warwickshire High Sheriff fund, which provides one-off grants to small grassroots charities and organisations making a difference in Warwickshire, visit: https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/20448#!/DonationDetails