Greater Manchester’s new High Sheriff has appointed her first ambassador as she begins her term in the ceremonial office.
Entrepreneur and UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones MBE joins Dr Robina Shah’s ‘Team High Sheriff’ initiative to drive lasting impactful change for young people in her year-long term.
Jones becomes the first of three ambassadors to take ownership of areas of Team High Sheriff, including Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Health and Social Care, and the Football Community.
He said: “I am delighted to be the first ambassadorial appointment to Dr Shah’s team. The role of High Sheriff is one steeped in tradition and is synonymous with creating a lasting impact.
“Dr Shah’s vision to use her time as custodian of the role to drive change in Greater Manchester is one that I fully support and I’m excited to help her push it forward.”
Jones’ technology firm UKFast is providing free hosting and web design services for Dr Shah’s term as the High Sheriff. This includes the build and launch of a new website created by UKFast apprentices.
Dr Shah said: “It’s incredibly exciting to begin this role with such momentum. To have the support of one of Manchester’s most well-known brands is fantastic. Combining the passion and drive that Team High Sheriff has with Lawrence’s years of expertise and business acumen is a true recipe for success.
“I am looking forward to appointing and announcing five more ambassadors to lead Team High Sheriff in due course.”
UKFast was last year recognised with a High Sheriff Award by outgoing High Sheriff Gerry Yeung OBE for ‘great and valuable services to the community’.
The High Sheriff role is an appointment made by the Queen to actively lend support and encouragement to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and to the voluntary sector.
High Sheriffs also assist Community Foundations and local charities working with vulnerable and other people both in endorsing and helping to raise the profile of their valuable work.
