Meet the dedicated individuals who support the Office of the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire
buckinghamshire@highsheriffs.com
Nikki Ross is the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire for the year April 2026 – March 2027.
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. She has considerable experience within the Criminal Justice System and was keen to utilize that experience when deciding on a theme for her year. Nikki has chosen to focus her theme on Neuro Diversity within Criminal Justice, with a view to bringing local charities together with statutory organisations and to help people to recognize and understand the issues and how best to make positive interventions.
It is known that a large proportion of people in custody have neuro divergent conditions which is disproportionate to the number in general society. The school to prison pipeline for those with these conditions is out of proportion. This is a massive area and one not much focused on previously but using the strongest power of the High Sheriff, the power of convening, she aims to start meaningful conversations and start to change mindsets.
Nikki is the mother to twin boys (now adults) and she, they and her mother are still local to Buckingham.
Nikki is thrilled with her appointment and is looking forward to getting to visit organisations across the county.
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. Duchy Counties have a different system of appointment of an Under Sheriff and the incumbent will advise.
undersheriff@highsheriffofbuckinghamshire.com
In her role, Serene supports the High Sheriff in ceremonial and legal responsibilities, acting as a key point of continuity within the Shrievalty. She brings over 30 years of distinguished service within the criminal justice system, marked by extensive legal expertise, senior leadership experience, and a longstanding commitment to public service in the County.
A second-generation Singaporean, Serene's legal journey began in Singapore, where she held early legal support roles at several respected law firms, including the esteemed Lee & Lee, founded by Singapore's first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew. Determined to advance her career, she pursued her A Levels through evening classes and enrolled in the University of London External Law Degree programme. She later moved to the UK to complete her studies, was called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, and embarked on a public service career with the Magistrates' Courts Service, which later became part of Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service.
Through most of her career, Serene held senior legal positions, most notably as Legal Team Manager for Buckinghamshire Crime. In this capacity, she collaborated closely with the judiciary and criminal justice agencies on inter-agency initiatives addressing knife crime, domestic violence, and youth offending. In 1997, she completed a Master's degree in Criminology at the University of Leicester's Centre for the Study of Public Order reinforcing her belief in rehabilitation as a cornerstone of effective justice. Since retiring in 2021, Serene has continued to serve the County as Under Sheriff, offering trusted guidance and continuity to successive High Sheriffs. She and her husband have lived in Buckinghamshire, raising two children, who were educated locally. An active member of her local church community, Serene also enjoys gardening, reflecting her enduring interest in nurturing both people and place. Serene's work is guided by a strong sense of public duty, fairness, and compassion – values that continue to shape her contribution to the civic life of Buckinghamshire.
The High Sheriff's chaplain supports and upholds the High Sheriff in fulfilling their role. They are drawn from faith and belief organisations of all kinds and can include individuals and communities who have no religious or denominational faith.
Nikki's Chaplain for 2026-27 is The Revd Will Pearson-Gee.
Will arrived in Buckingham in 2010 after theological training at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, and a curacy at St Andrew’s Church. Before ordination, he served worldwide as an infantry officer in the Coldstream Guards and later spent six years in his brother’s printing business.
Following the loss of his first wife, Anne, and his young son, Will’s faith was reshaped into a deeply personal commitment to Jesus Christ, which continues to inform and motivate his ministry. He is passionate about sharing the good news of Jesus in ways that are accessible, welcoming, and hopeful.
The Buckinghamshire Nomination Panel for the appointment of future High Sheriffs is currently comprised of sixteen members, who represent an inclusive cross-section of those connected with the current Shrievalty as well representatives of the broader community. The Under Sheriff is the Secretary of the Nomination Panel. Further details of the members of the Nomination Panel can be found below.
The Buckinghamshire Nomination Panel normally meets twice each year. Each member of the Nomination Panel is encouraged to put forward candidates that they feel would meet the essential criteria and characteristics for the role of High Sheriff. At the October meeting, candidates are reviewed and considered, and the current High Sheriff is then tasked with approaching the consensus candidate. Candidates are nominated four years in advance to provide sufficient time for preparation, as well as a pool of approved candidates should unexpected events occur.
The names of the future High Sheriffs in Nomination are kept confidential until they have been read out at the Nomination Ceremony in the Royal Courts of Justice in November each year.
High Sheriff
Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire Representative
Immediate Past High Sheriff
Under Sheriff (Secretary)
High Sheriff in Nomination
Independent Chair from a faith group
Business Leader
Chief Executive of Buckinghamshire Council
Chief Executive of Milton Keynes Council
Thames Valley Police
Heart of Bucks Community Foundation
Chief Executive of the Milton Keynes Community Foundation
Education Representative
Designated Family Judge for Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire
Justice of the Peace (Magistracy)
Faith Representative
Julie is the former CEO and Group Principal of Milton Keynes College. She is passionate about education, skills, social justice, diversity, inclusion and transforming lives through learning. Featured by BBC, ITV, Huffington Post, TES, FE News, FE Week and more.
Julie is chair of both the Helena Kennedy Foundation and Women Leaders UK.
Discover the distinguished individuals who have served as High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire
2025 - 2026
Focused on bringing volunteer stories to life and amplifying voices.
2024 - 2025
Focused on promoting diversity, inclusion and community cohesion across Buckinghamshire.
2023 - 2024
Focused on supporting education, social mobility and environmental sustainability across the county.