University installs new High Sheriff

Newly installed High Sheriff of Merseyside, Abila Pointing MBE DL with University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Howard Newby, at the Victoria Gallery & Museum ceremony

The University of Liverpool has celebrated the installation of the new High Sheriff of Merseyside at the Victoria Gallery and Museum.

Abila Pointing, a Liverpool graduate and member of the University’s Council, was appointed to the role at a ceremony attended by several eminent Merseyside figures. She is also a member of the University’s Corporate Services and Facilities Committee.

The Office of High Sheriff is an annual appointment made by Her Majesty the Queen. The powers of the High Sheriff, whilst extensive in the past, are now mainly symbolic and ceremonial.

The High Sheriff is responsible for the well-being of High Court judges when they visit the county, and has a number of other civic duties relating to voluntary, charitable and public services. How they do this, however, is very much up to each individual High Sheriff.

Abila said: “I am looking forward to beginning my new role and in particular working with different communities and faith groups.  Education has played a very important part of my life and I would like to promote the importance of it to as many people as possible.

“I hope to visit lots of organisations and to draw different kinds of people together.”

Born on the Indian sub-continent, Abila came to the UK to study for a postgraduate degree and later gained her MBE for voluntary work in prisons in Liverpool and Manchester.  At Manchester she was the Governor’s personal adviser on race relations.

Those attending the ceremony included Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Howard Newby; Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Gary Millar and Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead DBE.

Abila replaces Ian Meadows, OBE, DL as High Sheriff.