High Hopes

Shahid Azeem takes over the distinguished role of High Sheriff of Surrey for 2020 – a year that is shaping up to be the most extraordinary we’ve ever seen. Zoe Richards chatted to him to find out about his vision for the job and his remarkable life story

- Zoe Richards

The role of High Sheriff is one of the most traditional and highly-esteemed roles in civic office. A position that dates back to Norman times, it’s an independent, non-political duty that is recruited by royal appointment. Historically responsible for maintaining law and order, these days the High Sheriff is tasked to support the Crown and the judiciary through links with law enforcement agencies, such as the police force, emergency services, the voluntary sector and community projects.

As a one-year position and with such pageantry and ancient traditions involved, it’s no surprise that there have been countless holders over the years. But in 2020 – a year of unprecedented world events – it also sees perhaps one of its most remarkable recruits take up the position in Surrey.

While he plays down the suggestion that his is a ‘rags to riches’ story, there’s no doubt that Shahid Azeem’s journey to this position has been quite the modern day fairytale. “My family arrived in the UK from Pakistan in 1969. The same year that Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, I landed in Guildford,” Shahid laughs. Settling in a humble, two-bedroom house on Denzil Road, his parents, sister and Shahid shared their home with another family.