'It's a profound honour': new High Sheriff of West Yorkshire shares what it means to hold role

Dr Ruby Bhatti OBE was formally declared the High Sheriff of West Yorkshire for the 2026-2027 shrieval year at a ceremony at Leeds Combined Court Centre after more than 30 years of working in law.

The High Sheriff is a historic role which dates back over 1,000 years to the Saxon era. In modern times, the king appoints 55 High Sheriffs across England and Wales every year.

In the non-political and voluntary role, the High Sheriff plays a supportive role within their county by supporting law enforcement organisations, emergency services, and voluntary groups.

For Dr Bhatti, who is from Bradford, the appointment feels particularly significant as she is the first South Asian solicitor to hold the role in West Yorkshire.

“Its a profound honour, one I do not take for granted,” Dr Bhatti told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

“Being the first South Asian solicitor to hold this role in West Yorkshire, I feel that carries a significance that I’m really mindful of as well because it’s not just about me as an individual, it’s about what it represents for this country.”

“West Yorkshire is a place of remarkable diversity and for someone of my background to hold this office it sends a message that public life here is open to everyone in this county.”

Dr Bhatti from Bradford first pursued a career in law because she saw it as a way to create a positive impact.

Dr Bhatti said: “I was drawn to law because I wanted a career where I could genuinely help people.

“Sitting with someone at the most difficult moment of their life and helping them find a way through it was really important to me.”

She was inspired by her parents who first moved to the UK from Pakistan in the 1960s. From early childhood she remembers them teaching her and her five siblings through example to always do things for others.

Dr Bhatti was formally declared High Sheriff of West Yorkshire at a ceremony at Leeds Combined Court Centre on March 31 attended by faith leaders, colleagues, friends, and family, alongside a High Court judge and Lord-Lieutenant.

Dr Bhatti said the declaration was an “amazing” moment where she truly realised the importance of her role.

“I was really struck by the gravity of it,” Dr Bhatti said.

“You have all the names on the board in the judge’s chambers and it says all the High Sheriffs going back years and years.

“For me, being entrusted with that gave an overwhelming sense of responsibility and a deep awareness about what the year ahead is asking from me.”

As High Sheriff, Dr Bhatti particularly wants to champion the “essential” work of emergency services and voluntary organisations across West Yorkshire.

Dr Bhatti said: “(The role is) spending time in the courts, with the police, fire, ambulance, prison, and I feel the High Sheriff role should be to understand the day-to-day realities of their work.

“Beyond that, I feel I can reach out to the voluntary sector as well who are hardly seen but work so hard with limited resources.”

As well as this, she wants to celebrate young people across the county who she believes are often overlooked.

“I want to see what young people are capable of doing and give them the right support and encouragement. I want to actively seek out and celebrate their achievements,” Dr Bhatti said.

Dr Bhatti believes West Yorkshire is a strong area due to its pioneering nature and the “remarkable diversity” across the region.

She hopes her year in office will be a great opportunity to continue her longstanding commitment to public service and supporting vulnerable communities.

And ultimately, it’s also a chance to recognise the individuals and organisations who are making a positive difference.

Dr Bhatti said: “The High Sheriff role is an opportunity where we’re able to go out and say thank you which is really important.

“I want to reach out to as many people as I can, as many professions, services, community projects, volunteers, to say thank you and we recognise you.”