HIGH SHERIFF     Ms Susan Rasmussen 2026 - 2027

I’ve only just started my year as High Sheriff but already I can see the shape of it emerging: highlights and fixed points such as my Inauguration in April, the High Sheriff Awards Ceremony (‘Changemakers’) in August, my Legal Service in October, Remembrance Day services in November and celebrations around Christmas will be interleaved with the ‘day job’ of supporting and encouraging the various branches of our justice system and our first responders. The interstices will be filled with community visits, making connections and recognising all the people and organisations that make our county life so vibrant. Most of my adult life has been spent in the south of the county so many of my contacts are here. That inevitably means that at the moment there is an imbalance in the invitations, which are skewed in the direction of the south. I am therefore very keen to be invited, and to be involved in whatever way possible, in community events in other parts of the county. I have been inviting myself whenever I can! Please invite me!

My first few engagements have been fun and inspiring. I have been to tea and given long-service awards to staff at Galanos House, Southam and attended a more formal Fire and Rescue Service annual dinner. I’ve officiated at my first Citizenship Ceremony and, had a lot of fun in the sunshine at the Scouts camping weekend at Ragley Hall. Just don't mention the pigeons….or my gaffe at the coconut shy... Already I have a bank of memories and events to reflect on, but most of all it is the people, people, people who make the most vital impression.

I knew that my year would be dedicated to the role and so far I am just about managing to eat, sleep and keep up with its demands. I mean to do my best to measure up to the standards set by my predecessors and for those Warwickshire folk who invite me to celebrate with them, recognise their work on behalf of King and community, or just share a day with them. It’s a cliche to say that it’s humbling to meet so many people who do so much for others and I guess I should have been prepared for what I'm seeing by my time as a Mayor, but everything is on a bigger and more impressive scale.

Warwickshire, you are fabulous.