Hays Travel owner and chair Dame Irene Hays has been appointed as the High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear for 2023-24.
In an installation ceremony at South Shields Town Hall on Monday, April 3, Hays was declared the High Sheriff after receiving a Warrant direct from His Majesty’s Privy Council to take up the position.
Mayors from the north east region and other dignitaries witnessed Hays make a formal declaration to promise to “promote the peace, wellbeing and prosperity of our county and all its people”.
I am honoured to have been installed as High Sheriff of Tyne & Wear on Monday 3 April. I look forward to a busy year meeting and supporting many of those who give their time, skills and commitment for the benefit of others. #highsherifftynewear
— High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear 2023/24 (@dameirenehays) April 5, 2023
Hays has worked across the region as she built her career working within the local authorities of Sunderland and South Tyneside.
She then went on to work in Whitehall as director general for local government, being responsible for the then 353 councils across England.
Hays was then appointed as the permanent secretary to the Department of Local Government and Communities for six months.
She received a Damehood in the 2020 Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for her services to training, education and young people.
She said: “As a woman of the north east it is a great honour to represent Tyne and Wear as High Sheriff.
“I am looking forward to a busy year meeting and supporting many of those who give their time, skills and commitment for the benefit of others.”
There are 55 High Sheriffs across England and Wales who commit their support to the crown, the judiciary and the emergency services, while promoting the voluntary sector in their county.
The title dates back to Saxon times and predates both the judiciary and the police force.