Julie Fosh becomes the 845th High Sheriff of Essex

22nd April 2025

Becoming the new High Sheriff of Essex is a challenge that Julie Fosh is more than happy to take up – for the second time.

She says she feels “hugely privileged” to be the 845^th person to be appointed to the role and is looking forward to using the position to give encouragement and support to people throughout the county.

Unusually, this is Julie’s second time in the role as her previous tenure between 2020-2021 was impacted due to the country-wide restrictions from the COVID pandemic.

She said, “It was a challenging time for us as many of our plans had to be postponed or cancelled, but we made the best of it.  We were creative, using social media, Zoom and FaceTime to hold virtual meetings and connect with people and voluntary groups, but it wasn’t quite the experience I had hoped.  When I was offered the opportunity to have another term, I was only too pleased to say yes.”

Essex-born Julie, a former deputy head teacher who lives in North Fambridge on the Dengie Peninsula, was appointed during a traditional ceremony held in the Essex County Council chambers on 7 April, with around 100 guests in attendance.

Julie and her two sisters were very close to their mother, Joy Rogers, who sadly died in December 2021 aged 94.  Joy and Julie were among the founder members of the Maldon group of Essex Knitters and Stitchers and Julie is hopeful that her planned High Sheriff’s Garden Party, postponed in her first term, can take place in July, where one of the attractions will be a display of items made by the group.

During her year, Julie is also planning an event to raise money for the High Sheriffs’ Fund, which is managed through us. The fund gives grants annually to community initiatives to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and promote community safety.

Since the Fund came under our management in 1997, the High Sheriffs’ Fund has distributed grants totalling over half a million pounds to local voluntary and community organisations.

As a former teacher Julie has always been aware of the issues facing young people. Since retiring from teaching ten years ago she has become involved with several voluntary organisations, including the Essex Youth Trust and the Essex Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, which has reinforced her determination to help young people.

She said: “I had a modest upbringing myself and went to a comprehensive school. I was one of three girls, and we were lucky enough to have parents who believed in all of us and encouraged us to achieve our ambitions. I wanted to do physics, and they did not question this, although at that time it was thought of as being a subject for boys.

“When I was teaching at the Cecil Jones College in Southend a lot of my time was spent encouraging students and helping them to believe they could do what they wanted to do.

“My passion continues to be to raise the aspirations of young people, recognising the vital importance of positive role models in their lives. In my year as High Sheriff my priorities will include supporting projects which help young people strengthen their self-esteem and provide activities to divert them away from destructive behaviour.”

During Julie’s year of office, she will again be supported by her husband Paul Fosh, a longstanding property and farming Land Agent and Executive Partner in Ceres Group, providing advice to the rural community.

Traditionally, the role of High Sheriff was a male domain, but increasingly women such as Julie, who have made their mark in the community, are taking up the office with great success.

Modern-day High Sheriffs of Essex have a radically different role compared to their historical counterparts, who were Royal officials responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining law and order.

Today the High Sheriff’s role includes supporting and promoting voluntary organisations, making a meaningful contribution to the county and giving active support to the Royal family, the judiciary, police, the emergency services, local authorities and faith groups.

As she takes up her role as the new High Sheriff of Essex, Julie is well equipped to understand and support people of all generations in the county, and she is determined to make the most of her second term of office.

You can follow the High Sheriff on Instagram at ‘@essexhighsheriff’ or on Facebook and LinkedIn as ‘High Sheriff of Essex’

How is a High Sheriff Appointed?

1. In November, the Lord Chief Justice and three other judges add names to the list of Sheriffs for the next three years.  Nominations are made by a panel made up of local people.
2. In March, the King selects one of the nominated Sheriffs by pricking their name with the bodkin.
3. The appointment is confirmed by a Royal Warrant.

Did you know?

• The first recorded High Sheriff of Essex was Leofcild, who was appointed in 1042 or 1043 by King Edward the Confessor
• The first female High Sheriff of Essex was Mrs Evelyn Ward-Thomas in 1994 and there have been 7 female High Sheriffs since then.
• The practice of pricking dates back to the reign of Henry VII (1485-1508).
• The pricking ceremony is an early form of document security. A hole in the vellum (calfskin) could not be removed or repaired invisibly.
• The office of High Sheriff of Essex is the oldest secular office in the kingdom. The title originated during the time of the Angles, shortly after the invasion of England. The office has been in existence for over 1,000 years.
• The office was a powerful position in earlier times, as sheriffs were responsible for the maintenance of law and order and various other roles. It was only in 1908 under Edward VII that the lord-lieutenant became more senior than the high sheriff. Since then, the position of high sheriff has become more ceremonial, with many of its previous responsibilities transferred to High Court judges, magistrates, coroners, local authorities and the police.