It is an independent, honorary and non-political appointment for just a year. In Cornwall the appointment is made by HRH The Duke of Cornwall.
In recent years the role of the High Sheriff has evolved to lend support and encouragement to crime prevention agencies, the voluntary sector, community interest companies and charities delivering vital support to underpin the work of the police and law enforcement agencies in our communities.
Geraint is the Head Forester for the Duchy of Cornwall and to His Majesty The King.
Coming from a Cornish family on his father’s side, where previous generations lived around the
St Austell area of the county, and with a Welsh mother, Geraint grew up in the Chiltern Hills and
it was his regular walks amongst the beech woods there that inspired him to become a forester.
Graduating in 1992 with a First Class degree in forestry from Bangor University, Geraint worked
for four years for the Forestry Commission in Kent and East Sussex. His desire was always to
live and work in Cornwall, where his true sense of home was, and in 1995 he applied for the role
of Head Forester for the Duchy of Cornwall. This was the same year that he met and married
Anne and, indeed, his first interview for the Duchy role fell during their honeymoon in
Cornwall.
Geraint took up his role on the 1st April 1996 and he and Anne settled in Gorran Haven, so
again in the St Austell area of Cornwall. The Duchy Head Forester role has grown considerably
over the years with Geraint becoming involved with other Royal Estates as well as many other
organisations and initiatives in the UK and internationally.
Geraint was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) in 2017 and in 2019 he was
awarded the Royal Forestry Society’s Gold Medal for distinguished services to forestry. He is a
Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and was its President from 2023-2025.
Despite his role taking him across the UK and beyond, Geraint’s affection for his home county
of Cornwall is as strong as ever. He has been involved with many county-based rural
organisations and initiatives during his career, including the Royal Cornwall Show where he has
run the Woodlands Section for over 25 years. Geraint is also the President of the West of
England Bandsmen’s Festival, an annual outdoor event which his great-grandfather helped begin
in 1912 and which enjoys Royal Patronage today.
Geraint is married to Anne and they have five children: Ieuan, Lamorna, Morgan, Iestyn and
Tremayne.
Contact: hsofcornwall@gmail.com
High Sheriffs traditionally appoint their own Chaplain for their year to support and assist on matters of faith. The Chaplain will principally be involved in the Declaration Ceremony on the appointment of The High Sheriff and the Legal Service.
The current High Sheriff Chaplain is Rev Philip de Grey-Warter who is the Rector at the Anchor Anglican Church, Fowey.
The High Sheriff has a legal duty to appoint an Under Sheriff who has a vital role in ensuring continuity and deputises for the High Sheriff. The Under Sheriff is a valuable advisor to new High Sheriffs and is familiar with the protocols of the Court, with considerable experience of ceremonial matters.
The Under Sheriff is usually a solicitor and will be in post for a number of years.
Contact:
Philip Reed,
The Office of The High Sheriff of Cornwall,
Stephens Scown LLP, Osprey House, Malpas Road,
TRURO, Cornwall TR1 1UT
01872 265100
