Charity advocate is county's new High Sheriff

A former property chief and a champion for youth and prison charities is Lancashire's new High Sheriff.

Jim Carter is set to be installed in the position in a ceremony at County Hall in Preston on Friday.

The philanthropist, who lives in Chorley, said he intends to "do all he can to make a difference" in the county during his year in office.

The 69-year-old said his heart "skipped a beat" when he received a phone call from Buckingham Palace, notifying him of his Royal appointment.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire he was relishing his year in the historic role.

High Sheriffs are largely ceremonial and focus on supporting the monarchy's interests, the judiciary and law enforcement, while also supporting voluntary and other local organisations.

Mr Carter, who is currently Deputy Lieutenant, has been a passionate advocate for OnSide, a national charity aiming to develop youth zones in all major urban centres in the UK, for about 15 years.

He was until recently a board member at both Chorley and Preston Youth Zone.

The 69-year-old said: "I've had a lump in my throat from seeing what can be achieved by kids who've come in, troubled, with no self-esteem and left with careers."

Mr Carter is also a member of the employment advisory board at HMP Lancaster Farms, working alongside Edwin Booth, chairman of the Booths supermarket chain, to help released prisoners find work and accommodation.

He said it was "very moving" work.

During his year of office, he said he wants to bring the national charity Getting Court - a preventative and educational initiative that aims to keep young people out of trouble - to Lancashire.

Alongside his charity work Mr Carter has also had an extensive career in property and construction including almost four decades at the Lancashire-based Eric Wright Group where he was chief executive and deputy chairman.

The company is owned by the Eric Wright Charitable Trust, which invests profits back into the community.

The long-serving Lancashire Enterprise Partnership board member also chaired the City Deal Board, which secured £400m of government infrastructure funding for Preston and South Ribble.

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