The High Sheriff 2025-2026, Camilla King
Camilla is absolutely delighted and honoured to take on the role as High Sheriff of Bedfordshire 2025. She is looking forward to playing an active and supportive role in relation to the His Majesty’s High Court Judges, Police and other law enforcement agencies and emergency services and in lending encouragement to public sector agencies such as the probation and prison services and to voluntary sector organisations involved in crime reduction and social cohesion.
Bedfordshire and family are at the heart of Camilla’s life. Married with three children, she has always balanced her professional career with active involvement in her community. Her grandfather, who served as the Member of Parliament for Daventry and Mayor of Bedford 1957 to 1959 and her great grandfather who was High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire in 1949 set an early example of public service; Camilla has inherited the family genes! Professionally, Camilla is currently the Company Secretary and Director for a local commercial property firm and previously supported her husband’s company.
Camilla’s community and charitable efforts are impressive. She has been involved with the Woburn Luxury Gift Fair, which has raised over £160,000 for the NSPCC’s Childline, and £18,000 for Keech Hospice Care. She has also dedicated much time Bromham Scouts, mentoring pupils at Mark Rutherford School, part of an initiative led by the Rotary Club of Bedford Park and contributes to the Worshipful Livery Company of Gardeners’ Schools Outreach Programme, which seeks to promote careers in horticulture to young people.
In 2022, in response to the Ukraine war, Camilla and her husband opened their home to a Ukrainian family, who are still living with them in Bromham. Camilla played a pivotal role in supporting the relocation of over 100 Ukrainians, working closely with the local council to offer housing solutions and guide sponsors and newly arrived families through the process of resettlement.
Outside of her professional and charitable commitments, Camilla enjoys a full and active life. She can often be found walking her three labradors, tending to her garden, and supporting her Scouts group. In the warmer months, she enjoys travelling around the UK in a camper van, and spending time by the coast in Norfolk, where she indulges her passion for boating and paddleboarding.
Camilla hopes her community and charitable involvement have and will make a lasting impact on the lives of those around her.
Our Partnership with the High Sheriff
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.
Working Together
During 2020-2021, we 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
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.
Bhavesh Shah, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire 2024-2025, was delighted to be invited to a Sunday Service at Strathmore Church. A small but impactful congregation who also volunteer and run the Community Breakfast Club. He was delighted to present them with a High Sheriff Certificate to recognise the impact that this Breakfast Club has on the local community.
For more information about the awards and how to nominate please email [email protected]
Previous High Sheriffs
2024/2025 – Bhavesh Shah
2023/2024 – Russell Beard
2022/2023 High Sheriff – Lady Jane Clifford
2021/2022 High Sheriff – Eric Masih
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
