The Under Sheriff

Greg Lowson was appointed as the Under Sheriff of the West Midlands in 2014 by the then High Sheriff Tim Watts, and he has been retained by each successive High Sheriff of the West Midlands since then.

Greg recently retired as the head of Pinsent Masons’ Birmingham office after 31 years as a partner and a 41 year long legal career. He is the Chair of The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and is a non-executive director of Pertemps Network Group.

Under the Sheriffs Act 1887, the High Sheriff has a legal duty to appoint an Under Sheriff.  This is an annual appointment and the High Sheriff must by law, within one month of taking Office, give to the Queen’s Remembrancer, details of the person they have appointed as their Under Sheriff. This is usually done at the time that the new High Sheriff makes the Declaration of Office.

The Under Sheriff has a vital role in ensuring continuity. He or she can give valuable advice to new High Sheriffs and can sometimes provide secretarial help. They are familiar with the protocols of the Court and have considerable experience of ceremonial matters. Most Under Sheriffs are members of the High Sheriffs’ Association.