Project Description

George Anson

In position 2021 – 2022

George Anson was born in Canada in 1960 to a Canadian mother and British father. He spent most of his formative years in Iowa in the American Midwest. He went to the University of Iowa where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance in 1982.

In 1984 he moved to the United Kingdom and started his career in The City working initially for GT Management, before moving to Hancock Venture Partners (later HarbourVest Partners) in 1990 where he was a founder and partner for 27 years overseeing their European and Asian activities. George retired from HarbourVest Partners in June 2017.

He has been married to Kirsty for 35 years, and they have three grown children; Josceline (32), Douglas (30) and Peter (24). They have lived in north Buckinghamshire since 1990, and in Weedon since 1999.

George is involved with a number of charitable and not-for-profit organisations, and is a keen golfer and sportsman.

My time as High Sheriff

I was installed as High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire on Friday, March 26, 2021, at a virtual Declaration Ceremony presided over by HHJ Francis Sheridan. This was only the second time that the High Sheriff had been installed using virtual technology. My term of office expired on Friday, April 1, 2022.

In the twelve months since I was sworn in, I have:-

  • sat in criminal, family law, and magistrates’ courts in Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Milton Keynes,
  • visited the probation services in Aylesbury and Milton Keynes,
  • visited all of the police stations in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes (including going out on patrol twice),
  • visited the Chief Constable, his senior management team, and the PCC at their headquarters in Kidlington.
  • visited all of the prisons in the Thames Valley Region (including Broadmoor Secure Hospital),
  • visited the Bucks Fire & Rescue Services in Aylesbury and Milton Keynes,
  • attended Council meetings of Buckinghamshire Council and Milton Keynes Borough Council,
  • visited several NHS hospitals,
  • visited the coroners’ courts in Beaconsfield and Milton Keynes.
  • visited with local MPs,
  • conducted Citizenship ceremonies and attended British Empire Medal Investitures.

I have attended a great many charitable organisations and events far too numerous to mention, and even have been involved with several tree plantings under the Queen’s Green Canopy Initiative.

Some of the best experiences of my year include:-

  • Finding and recruiting an excellent new Under Sheriff – Mrs Serene Taylor!
  • Being a part of the Thames Valley Multi-Faith Event on July 22nd held at Eton Dorney.
  • Raising £60,000 at my High Sheriff Charity Golf Day at Woburn Golf Club for the MK University Hospital Cancer Centre, and
  • Winning the National Crimebeat Awards with Hospital Navigators.

The reason I mention all these events is that only eighteen months’ ago I was an ordinary private citizen, who in all likelihood would have had very little interaction or involvement with many of these essential public service providers and charitable organisations. Today, I can only express my admiration and respect for organisations like the Judiciary, the Police, the Prison services, and many others who have had to operate in the most challenging of circumstances during 2020 and 2021.