Charity chief executive appointed High Sheriff of Greater Manchester

The Chief Executive of Stockport charity, St Ann’s Hospice has been chosen as the next High Sheriff of Greater Manchester.

Eamonn O’Neal will take up the ceremonial position next month, following his appointment by the Queen and a formal announcement from Buckingham Palace. O’Neal has previously been a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester for six years.

The Stockport charity’s chief executive will be installed as High Sheriff at The Monastery, Manchester, on Friday, April 17, succeeding Mark Adlestone OBE DL whose term of office ends that day. Eamonn O’Neal will hold the office for 12 months. He said:

It’s a huge honour and quite humbling to be chosen as the High Sheriff of Manchester.  I’m grateful to have the chance to connect and engage with the charitable, voluntary, faith, ethnic, cultural and business communities across the county.”

The role Office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular title in British history and among the most ancient in the world, dating back more than 1,300 years. At that time the Sheriff represented the monarch, collected taxes, raised armies and was the rule of law across the county. O’Neal continued:

I won’t be collecting taxes, or raising an army, but as High Sheriff I’ll be proud to represent the Queen as the ceremonial head of the judiciary in the county.”

“I also regard this Royal appointment as recognition of the great work done by St Ann’s Hospice in looking after the communities of Greater Manchester for many years. 

“St Ann’s is one of the oldest and largest hospices in the country and we’re about to celebrate our 50th anniversary. 

“I’ll be dedicating the High Sheriff appointment to our patients, staff, families and volunteers and the other charities I work with.”