Experienced media personality appointed High Sheriff of Greater Manchester
A former managing editor of the Manchester Evening News has been chosen by the Queen as the next High Sheriff of Greater Manchester.
Eamonn O’Neal will take up his ceremonial role next month.
The father-of-three from Sale, has been a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester for six years.
He will be installed as High Sheriff at The Monastery, Manchester, on Friday, April 17, succeeding Mark Adlestone, whose term of office ends that day.
Mr O’Neal, who will hold office for 12 months, was managing editor and columnist at the Manchester Evening News for eight years following a successful career in television and radio.
He still presents programmes on BBC Radio Manchester and is currently chief executive of St Ann’s Hospice, based in Stockport and Salford.
He said: “It’s a huge honour and quite humbling to be chosen as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester. I’m grateful to have the chance to connect and engage with the charitable, voluntary, faith, ethnic, cultural and business communities across the county.”
The role 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 Queen as the ceremonial head of the judiciary in the county.
“I also regard this Royal appointment as recognition of the great work done by St Ann’s Hospice in looking after the communities of Greater Manchester for many years.
“St Ann’s is one of the oldest and largest hospices in the country and we’re about to celebrate our 50th anniversary.
“I’ll be dedicating the High Sheriff appointment to our patients, staff, families and volunteers, and the other charities I work with.”
O’Neal is also a trustee of The Dianne Oxberry Trust and The Diocese of Salford.
He 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.’
