Robert Drewett, a Senior Counsel in the Bristol office of transatlantic law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, has been appointed as the new High Sheriff of Somerset, the first to be appointed under King Charles III.
Robert Drewett, pictured, was appointed for a single-year term at a declaration ceremony at Wells Cathedral.
The office of high sheriff is the oldest in the country after the Crown and dates back more than 1,000 years.
It is an independent, non-political position appointed by the monarchy and acts as the King’s representative in the county in all things related to the legal system.
Robert, who has lived in Somerset for most of his life, joined what was then Bond Dickinson in 2014 and specialises in all aspects of the management and maximisation of rural land assets.
He retired as a partner in 2021 but still acts as Senior Counsel on a part-time basis.
In his high sheriff role Robert will engage with the many different organisations that contribute to the wellbeing of the residents of Somerset and support local authorities and church and faith groups.
He will also take a lead role in the High sheriff of Somerset Charitable Trust, which grants awards of up to £1,500 to a wide diversity of charities, volunteer organisations and projects in the county as well as seeking to divert young people away from crime.
Robert said he was delighted and honoured to add his name to the list of outstanding occupants of the role.
“I look forward to supporting the work of the police, judiciary, probation service and the other emergency services who work hard to keep the people of our county safe,” he added.
“I’m also keen to connect with charities and other organisations across the county and to learn more about their activities, with a particular interest in what can be done to assist older people and more generally to support the rural community.”
As the first High Sheriff since 1978 to live in North East Somerset, Robert is also keen to highlight the charities and other organisations operating in that part of the county.
Robert is a trustee of a variety of charities based both in Somerset as well as nationally, with a special connection with the world of agricultural show societies, having chaired the Royal Bath & West of England Society for nearly 10 years before stepping down in 2022.
Womble Bond Dickinson has more than 120 partners and around 450 lawyers in the UK, where its Bristol office is its second largest. It also has 23 offices across the US.
