Stupid Patrol Sheriff: I think I may have found my next Job, and yes kids being the Sheriff of Nottingham can be a reality, albeit a stupidly difficult job to get. Watch out Robin Hood – ima gonna git ya!

The Sheriff of Nottingham

 The role of the Sheriff in welcoming visitors to the city is often less formal than the Lord Mayor’s. The Sheriff has an ambassadorial role which is especially relevant to the promotion of Nottingham’s historic associations and links with the legends of Robin Hood.

 Role of the Sheriff

• To promote Nottingham as a destination for visitors for short breaks, conferences, business and shopping.
• To encourage local residents to use and take part in cultural/leisure activities opportunities in the city and county.

Key tasks of the Sheriff

•  To support the tourism strategy for the city and county.
• To welcome tourists and visitors to the city at various events, including conferences and entertainment/hospitality venues.
• Hosting welcome receptions in order to promote the city, in particular for conference delegates and journalist familiarization visits.
• To work with Experience Nottinghamshire at promotional events such as tourism and destination exhibitions.
• Opening new retail, entertainment or visitor attractions in the city and county.

Biography of the Sheriff of Nottingham

Councillor Leon Unczur is the current Sheriff of Nottingham. He was installed as Sheriff on May 11th 2009. 

The Current Sheriff of Nottingham

Leon was born in Nottingham and although he has lived in different parts of the world, he has always returned to the place of his birth. He is the youngest of ten children and is of English, Lithuanian and Mongolian origin. 

Leaving school at fifteen, he worked successfully in retail management for twenty five years. His work has taken him all over the world and he was actually working in Berlin when the Wall came down. 

Leon became a Councillor in 1993, representing Aspley Ward and still continues to do so, he says that working with the community is the most gratifying part of the job. During his political career he has held some senior positions, being Chair of Leisure in 1999 and then Executive Member for Culture and Community in 2001, before moving to be Portfolio Holder for Adult Services in 2007. 

Leon was the originator of the Core Cities Culture Group, which shares ideas and good practice within the major cities in England outside of the capital, including fellow members of the Euro Cities Culture Forum. He also created the Open and Green Spaces Group, which has helped develop policy on issues that relate to the use of public space in the city. 

He has also represented the Council as a member of The Local Government Association and The Local Government Information Unit, although his favourite is the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE), an association which advises 280 local authorities on a wide range of issues and lobbies National Government, the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly on behalf of its members. Leon was National Chair of APSE during 2007. 

Leon has enjoyed an interesting life, he has travelled extensively around the world, using various modes of transport including planes, trains and automobiles, as well as the occasional horse or canoe. His most ambitious project to date was cycling across the United States of America whilst taking in parts of Canada and Mexico. He has also cycled in Britain, Europe and Rottness Island off the west coast of Australia. 

Leon has a partner, Jonathan, who is of Mauritian, Scottish and Irish origin. Their Civil Partnership was held in the Council House in July 2006. Jonathan is a Cambridge Graduate, former Local Government Officer and Professional Fundraiser for the Third Sector. Then five years ago he decided to do something totally different and became a comedian.

The Sheriff’s Lady

Leon will share his year with his friend Adela as Sheriffs Lady. They both enjoy meeting people and welcome everyone to the great city of Nottingham.

The 'good' lady of Nottingham

The Sheriff’s Lady is Adela Hampson.  Adela was born in Nottingham and was educated at Robert Shaw School, Glaisdale School and Bilborough College, she then studied English and Archaeology at the University College of North Wales before moving to London to work for an oil exploration company. She then returned to Nottingham, has two children and is now a proud grandmother. 

Whilst bringing up her children Adela helped to run the family business and has worked for Nottingham City Council for the last seven years in research roles, as PA to Executive Members with a variety of portfolios and also a Corporate Director; thus providing her with a real insight as to how Local Government is run.

Adela is passionate about Formula 1 racing and has always had faith in Jenson Button! She is a keen supporter of the Arts and has a great interest in History, especially that of Nottingham. She is also a bit of a sporty individual and a bit of a daredevil, she has parachuted more than once, but now confines her extreme sports to her Wii Fit!

For more information please contact the Civic Office on 0115 9155230 or email louise.thompson@nottinghamcity.gov.uk and check out The Nottingham City Homepage.

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