Hotel owner made High Sheriff for Cumbria

English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues managing director Simon Berry has been made High Sheriff for Cumbria.

The post for 2018-19 was confirmed at a ceremony last week where Berry was installed.

The traditional role is the oldest secular office under the Crown, going back 1,000 years. Functions are largely ceremonial but High Sheriffs do lend support to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and the voluntary sector.

Berry said: "It is a real honour, not only to have been nominated for the role in the Royal Courts of Justice in the first place, but also now to step into it for the next twelve months.

"As with most High Sheriffs, I have a particular interest in the law and supporting local services such as the police, especially in the prevention of youth crime and helping to ensure that young people in this great county get the opportunities in life that they deserve.

"I also look forward to getting involved in helping community foundations and local charities that work with vulnerable people, both in endorsing and in raising the profile of their valuable work."

Berry runs the family hotel business, English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues, with his brother Tim. The hotel group has been in the Berry family for over 60 years.