The Chair of The Dianne Oxberry Trust has been chosen by King Charles as the next High Sheriff of Greater Manchester.
The appointment of Eamonn O’Neal was formally announced by Buckingham Palace today and he will take up his ceremonial role next month.
In an unusual move, the father-of-three, from Sale, will be installed as High Sheriff for a second time, having previously held the position in 2020. This is unique in the history of Greater Manchester, as O’Neal has now been appointed by two different monarchs.
He will be installed as High Sheriff at Wardley Hall, Salford, in April, succeeding Mary Elizabeth Walker whose term of office ends at that point.
O’Neal, who will hold office for 12 months, has been a prominent broadcaster and journalist in the North West, having been head of regional programmes at Granada Television, managing editor of the Manchester Evening News and a presenter with BBC Radio Manchester.
He said: “It’s a huge honour and quite humbling to be chosen as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester again. I’m grateful to have the chance to connect and engage with the charitable, voluntary, faith, ethnic, cultural and business communities across the county.”
O’Neal was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts degree by the University of Bolton in 2015 in recognition of his ‘outstanding contribution to the media and charity.’
The Office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular title in British history and among the most ancient in the world, dating back more than 1,300 years.
At that time the Sheriff represented the monarch, collected taxes, raised armies and was the rule of law across the county.
O’Neal said: “I won’t be collecting taxes, or raising an army, but as High Sheriff I’ll be proud to represent the King as the ceremonial head of the judiciary in the county.”
“I also regard this Royal appointment as recognition of the importance of meaningful connection with the communities. The Dianne Oxberry Trust is an amazing charity and a perfect example of how a small, determined team can make a real and measurable difference to people’s lives. I’m hoping that during my year as High Sheriff, we can build upon our Spread The Word campaign to raise even more awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and the urgent need for an early diagnosis. I think Dianne Oxberry herself would be delighted with the work done so far.”
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