John made his Declaration to serve The King and Oxfordshire on the 3rd April 2025, in the Old Assizes Court in Oxford. My Lord, Lord Lieutenant, Ladies and Gentlemen, friends and colleagues, It is an extraordinary honour to stand before you today as I take on the role of High Sheriff of Oxfordshire – an…
John May talks to Sophie Law on BBC Radio Oxfordshire about becoming the High Sheriff
On Saturday 22nd March, Oxford Magistrates’ Court was filled not with the usual defendants and legal professionals, but with the sound of impassioned argument and carefully constructed cross-examinations from some of Oxfordshire’s brightest young minds. Schools from across the county and slightly beyond gathered to take part in the Oxfordshire heat of the Magistrates’ Court…
Yesterday, I had the privilege of leading a session with senior leaders from youth organisations across Oxfordshire, exploring the role of compassionate leadership in driving meaningful change. As we discussed our shared challenges and aspirations, I was asked to reflect on my own leadership journey and the ways in which compassion has been a guiding…
As John May prepares to take on the role of High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, he reflects on how a thousand-year-old office can still help address some of the most pressing challenges facing communities today. When John May takes office as High Sheriff of Oxfordshire this spring, he will do so with a theme that feels…
On 10th March 2025, the historic County Hall in Oxford played host to a heart-warming evening of celebration and gratitude as this year’s High Sheriff’s Awards honoured individuals whose selfless service and extraordinary contributions have made Oxfordshire a better, kinder place. Each award recognised the quiet power of commitment, compassion, and community spirit—qualities that shine…
On 3rd March 2025, County Hall in Oxford opened its doors for a very special event: the Oxfordshire Prison Service Awards. The evening brought together people from every corner of the prison system—officers, chaplains, educators, volunteers, support staff and more—all united by a shared commitment to rehabilitation, dignity, and hope. With recipients from both of…
Happy Founders’ Day and Thinking Day! It’s all about the apostrophe. Some would like one between the “r” and the “s”, to show possession by Robert BP alone. Others put it after the “s” to show possession by both Robert and Olave – which I prefer. Others leave it out completely, but the punctuation pedant…
There’s something about those of us born in the 1960s. A certain resilience. A knack for getting on with things. A way of navigating life’s challenges that feels almost second nature. We are neither Boomers nor Xers. We are Gen Jones. The Trumpton Generation. Looking back, I realise how much my approach to leadership has…
