Professor Simon J. Gibson, CBE, DL, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Monmouthshire, is one of the first High Sheriffs to be appointed by His Majesty King Charles.
The Office of High Sheriff, the oldest office of State after the Monarchy, has a rich history dating back more than a millennium. Whilst the duties of a High Sheriff have evolved over time, supporting the Crown and the judiciary remain central elements of the role. High Sheriffs actively lend support and encouragement to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services, and the voluntary sector. The role includes promoting crime reduction initiatives, especially among young people.
A High Sheriff promotes understanding, cooperation, and good relations between organisations and persons of different faiths- encouraging acts of kindness, compassion and public service across all religious communities. The Office of the High Sheriff involves a mix of ceremonial, charitable and community functions. The role is voluntary, unfunded and non-political.
Simon brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role. He is the Chairman of the Alacrity Graduate Entrepreneurship Foundation, an organisation dedicated to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit, and empowering young graduates to make a positive impact in the business world. Furthermore, Simon is the Chief Executive of a private investment fund, spearheading initiatives to foster innovation and technological advancement.
He is a Regent of Harris Manchester College at the University of Oxford, and a Fellow of Cardiff University and the University of South Wales. He holds honorary doctorates at three Universities, and has chaired various advisory and delivery panels for the Government. He is also a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Gwent.
Recognising his contributions to public service, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to industry and the community in South Wales in the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours list. In the 2018 New Year's Honours list, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the economy of Wales.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Simon embraces the values of faith, compassion, and unity. His appointment as High Sheriff provides him with a unique platform to promote interfaith collaboration and understanding among the diverse religious communities in Gwent. His commitment to nurturing dialogue, respect, and cooperation aligns perfectly with the principles of our faith, making him an exceptional advocate for interfaith and volunteering activities.
As a founder of several technology companies and a pioneer of signalling methods for the internet, Simon keenly understands the rapidly evolving landscape of our digital world. This expertise has led him to champion the cause of online safety and cyber security in his role as High Sheriff, creating a dedicated website to help citizens protect themselves from cybercrime. As well as accessing facts on the Shrievalty, the website provides information and tutorials to help increase awareness of online safety. It offers countermeasures to protect families and businesses from the onslaught of online criminals' illegal and nefarious activities. The website can be accessed at: www.highsheriffofgwent.co.uk
Upon his appointment, Simon commented, 'I am deeply honoured to be appointed the High Sheriff of Gwent by His Majesty the King. During my Shrieval year, I look forward to meeting people across the County of Gwent and highlighting the excellent work being undertaken by so many wonderful people in the voluntary sector, our emergency services and the faith community.'