Eric was born in Punjab, India and was brought to the UK by his parents in 1967 where he was educated locally. Eric has continued to live in Bedford with his wife, four sons and four grandchildren. His hobbies include Asian classical music and martial arts, and he continues to practice as Southern Region Area instructor for the Tetsudo Martial Arts Association.
Eric has been a well-respected and well-known face within Bedfordshire for a number of years.
Eric’s true calling came in 1996 when he entered the Property and Mortgage sector and established his current business, Gold Crown Estate Agent. Within this sector, Eric is particularly committed to providing affordable and social housing in Bedfordshire.
Eric is honoured to have been nominated as High Sheriff of Bedfordshire for the forthcoming year and recognises that, despite the joint efforts to keep communities going, there is yet much work to do. The unforeseen effects of the Covid19 pandemic over the past year have brought to the surface the financial, social and emotional hardships faced by many throughout the Borough. Eric passionately feels that it is through Community Cohesion, and in particular through the work of local voluntary groups, that we can start to move towards a recovery phase.
BLCF and the High Sheriff have worked together for several years developing initiatives, promoting each other’s priority areas of interest and work. The partnership works to support charities and groups from across Bedfordshire by sign posting them to support and opportunities for funding and aims to identify and celebrate the achievements of those groups and charities in transforming the lives of those most in need. BLCF and the High Sheriff also support each other in the promotion of campaigns and shared programmes through their marketing channels as well as provision on data and information relating to the ever-changing needs of the county’s communities.
Over the last 12 months we have worked alongside the Luton Learning Link, a group made up of the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Luton's Council's of Mosques, Luton Education Service and Level Trust to help put an end to digital poverty across the County. Through our grants and funding and that of Crimebeat and Lady Fatemah Trust, 313 digital devices were given out in Luton as of November 2020. Read the full article here:
The High Sheriff Awards recognise the achievements of those doing good things in the community. There are 3 main categories for Adults, Young People and Group winners (organisations). These awards are spilt across the 3 administrative areas of the county: North Bedfordshire, Central Bedfordshire, and South Bedfordshire, including Luton. The awards format may change however, determined by the incumbent High Sheriff’s wishes. For more information about the awards and how to nominate please email admin@highsheriffofbedfordshire.com.
2020/2021 High Sheriff – Susan Lousada DL
2019/2020 High Sheriff – Meryl Dolling
2018/2019 High Sheriff –Julian Polhill
2017/2018 High Sheriff - Vinod Tailor MBE, Luton
2016/2017 High Sheriff - Charles Whitbread Esq, Bedford
2015/2016 High Sheriff - The Countess of Erroll, Bedford
2014/2015 High Sheriff - C Osborne Esq MBE, Sandy, Bedfordshire
2013/2014 High Sheriff - Mrs Deborah Inskip, Milton Ernest, Bedford
2012/2013 High Sheriff - J Sapsworth Esq MBE, Luton
2011/2012 High Sheriff - A M Slack Esq, Oakley
2010/2011 High Sheriff - D T C Hanbury Esq DL, Turvey
2009/2010 High Sheriff - Mrs C M Gresham, Dunstable
2008/2009 High Sheriff - N Jessa Esq, Luton
