Carmen Watson The High Sheriff of the West Midlands
Welcome
At Buckingham Palace on 10th March 2026, Miss Carmen Watson was invited by His Majesty the King to become the High Sheriff of the County of West Midlands.
On 31st March 2026, Miss Watson made her Declaration at the Crown Court in Birmingham in front of the Presiding Judge for the Midlands Circuit, The Honourable Mr Justice Choudhury KC and thus her Shrieval year commenced.
The High Sheriff serves as a representative of the Crown in the County and their duties include supporting the various elements of the Justice system, namely the Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies, the Judiciary, the Prison Service and the Probation Service. The High Sheriff also takes an active role in supporting and promoting the voluntary sector, particularly those organisations involved with crime reduction and social cohesion.
On this website, you will find further information about the history of the role of the High Sheriff and their current responsibilities, as well as some background on the current High Sheriff, Miss Carmen Watson. You will also find details of events and initiatives that the High Sheriff is involved with.
If you have any questions or need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to serve the community and are very happy to assist in any way we can.
High Sheriff Events
The High Sheriff is keen to engage with, support and promote Voluntary organisations across the West Midlands, particularly those working with young people to assist in crime reduction and social cohesion.
If you would like to invite the High Sheriff to an event, please send an invitation through the Events page.
Crescent Archers
I had a lovely, albeit somewhat chilly morning, with the Crescent Archers at Ackers Adventures in Small Heath. This project has been going for a
West Mids Probation Service Staff Recognition Awards
I was delighted to join Regional Director Jamie – Ann Edwards and approximately 300 members of staff from the West Midlands Probation Service for their
Flag raising on the National Day of Bangladesh
I was delighted to join the Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Deputy Lieutenant Dawn Ward, The Lord Mayor of Birmingham and Mihaela Savu, Consul General
Visit to Coventry Combined Court
During the course of my Shrieval year, I have had the opportunity to visit all of the 11 major Court Buildings across the County, with
High Sheriff Awards
The High Sheriff can give Awards to recognise the work of individuals or community groups within the County.
The High Sheriff will be inviting nominations for Awards for 2026 – 2027 in September 2026 – please see the Awards page for how to complete a nomination.
Examples of previous awards are set out below.
Walsall Transition on Leaving Care Hub
Looked After Children has been a key area of focus for me during my Shrieval year and I have been incredibly fortunate to pay a
Community Payback team in West Mids Probation Services
I was delighted to visit the Community Payback team in Birmingham which is part of West Midlands Probation Services. The team do some vitally important
Bernadette Allen at St Basils
St Basils is both a Charity and a Housing Association with a track record of over 50 years of providing a holistic range of accommodation and support
WAITS SEEKERS Board
I have had a number of engagements with the WAITS organisation during the course of my Shrieval year. Women Acting In Todays Society is led
The original version of this website was created and funded by Douglas Wright MBE DL, High Sheriff of the West Midlands 2024-25. It has been updated by Mark Smith, High Sheriff for 2025-26 and Carmen Watson, High Sheriff for 2026-27.