March 27th 2026, was the day of the formal declaration service for the new High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire. Nicola Ross became the 792nd High Sheriff in the ceremonial county (which includes Milton Keynes). The service took place at the Old Gaol in Buckingham (now a museum) and Nikki will remain in role for a year.
Although an ancient role, steeped in a millennium of history, the role of the modern High Sheriff is, as the Kings representative, to:
- Uphold the Crown and Judiciary
- Support and promote the work of the police, the probation and prison services, emergency services and other crime prevention and reduction agencies
- Convene and champion the work of the voluntary and statutory sectors working within the Criminal Justice system
Nikki has a long history with Buckinghamshire, being a Royal Latin school and Buckingham University alumni, and living locally for over 40 years. She served with Thames Valley Police for over 35 years, primarily within Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire holding various frontline roles. Her final role was as the Assistant Chief Constable lead for Local Policing, covering the three counties of Thames Valley. After her retirement she took on the role as the Chief Executive for a Criminal Justice focused charity (Hope After Harm) which supported people that had been impacted by the justice system.
Following some health issues, Nikki retired in 2024 and has since filled her time travelling independently and also ensuring she stayed connected with the charity sector by volunteering for trustee positions. Nikki has enjoyed the public service ethos part of all her paid roles and is honoured and thrilled to take on this opportunity to volunteer as the High Sheriff.
Nikki brings deep local roots and unwavering dedication to her new position. Having attended Royal Latin School and Buckingham University, she has called Buckinghamshire home for over 40 years. Her distinguished career with Thames Valley Police spanned more than 35 years, during which she held numerous frontline roles in Milton Keynes and North Buckinghamshire. Her final post as Assistant Chief Constable lead for Local Policing saw her overseeing all three counties in the Thames Valley.
After retiring from the police, Nikki became Chief Executive of Hope After Harm, a charity committed to supporting those impacted by the justice system. Although she retired from professional life in 2024 due to health issues, Nikki’s commitment to public service endures. She continues to give back, traveling independently and volunteering as a trustee for local charities. Nikki’s passion for serving her community remains strong, and she is both honored and excited to take on the voluntary role of High Sheriff.
With a wealth of experience in Criminal Justice, Nikki has chosen to dedicate her year as High Sheriff to the theme of Neuro Diversity within the Criminal Justice system. She aims to bring together local charities and statutory organizations to raise awareness, promote understanding, and inspire positive change. Research shows that individuals with neuro divergent conditions are disproportionately represented in the justice system, and Nikki is determined to address this imbalance, fostering collaboration and dialogue among key stakeholders.
“This is a vast and vital area that has often been overlooked,” Nikki said. “As High Sheriff, I hope to use the power of convening to spark meaningful conversations and begin changing mindsets.”