Eamonn O’Neal has been selected as the next High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, as announced by Buckingham Palace on March 13th. O’Neal, a trustee of Francis House Children’s Hospice, was personally chosen by King Charles for the prestigious post.
This will not be O’Neal’s first time serving as High Sheriff, as he previously held the position in 2020. However, this appointment marks a unique occurrence in the history of Greater Manchester, as O’Neal has now been chosen by two different monarchs.
The official installation ceremony for O’Neal will take place next month at Wardley Hall, Salford. He will succeed Mary Elizabeth Walker, whose term as High Sheriff will come to an end at that time.
O’Neal, a father of three from Sale, has had a successful career as a prominent broadcaster and journalist in the North West. He has held positions such as head of regional programmes at Granada Television, Managing Editor of the Manchester Evening News, and presenter at BBC Radio Manchester.
Expressing his gratitude for the appointment, O’Neal stated, “It’s a huge honor and quite humbling to be chosen as High Sheriff of Greater Manchester again. I am grateful for the opportunity to connect and engage with the charitable, voluntary, faith, ethnic, cultural, and business communities across the county.”
In addition to his professional accomplishments, O’Neal has also been a dedicated supporter of Francis House since its establishment in the early 1990s. He joined the board of trustees in 2023 and has been a strong advocate for the hospice’s mission of providing support and care to children and young adults with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
David Ireland, chief executive of Francis House, congratulated O’Neal on his appointment, saying, “It’s great to see trustees actively participating in the community.”
O’Neal’s contributions to the media and charity sectors have not gone unnoticed, as he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts degree by the University of Bolton in 2015.
The Office of High Sheriff is the oldest secular title in British history, dating back more than 1,300 years. In the past, the High Sheriff was responsible for representing the monarch, collecting taxes, and maintaining law and order in the county. While these duties may no longer apply, O’Neal sees his role as a way to connect with and serve the community.
“I won’t be collecting taxes or raising an army, but as High Sheriff, I’ll be proud to represent the King as the ceremonial head of the judiciary in the county,” O’Neal stated. He also sees this appointment as recognition of the value of community involvement, saying, “Francis House is a perfect example of how a hospice can be of substantial benefit to the lives of our children and their families.”
Prior to his involvement with Francis House, O’Neal served as Chair and Chief Executive of St Ann’s Hospice in Manchester.
Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/
