The owner and chair of Hays Travel has been declared High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear for 2023/24.
The Office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal appointment for a single year. Dame Irene Hays has taken up the position after receiving a Warrant direct from His Majesty’s Privy Council.
On Monday, an installation ceremony was held at South Shields Town Hall in South Shields, South Tyneside, for her. Dame Irene was joined by the Lord Lieutenant Lucy Winskell OBE, the region’s Mayors and many other dignitaries.