Jon Whitaker was appointed as the new High Sheriff of Hampshire on the 27th March and sworn in in the presence of Mr Justice Saini at Winchester Great Hall with outgoing High Sheriff Amelia Riviere present.
Born and educated in Devon. After college, moved to Hampshire joining J Sainsbury Plc as a management trainee in 1985. After completing a post graduate diploma in Personnel Management, held a number of roles in the Training and HR Division at Head Office and covering the South of England. Retired after 33 years and established a part-time HR consultancy, working one day a week advising small businesses and undertaking executive coaching.
Jon has always been interested in volunteering and community work. He qualified as a swimming and lifesaving teacher and spent many years assessing and examining at a national level with the Royal Life Saving Society. Jon was a judge at the annual Police Lifesaving Championships held at Middlemoor, Exeter. He served with the Royal Observer Corps based at RAF Odiham and is currently a reservist serving with the Army in a specialist mentoring and coaching role. He is a strong supporter of ex Service charities, in particular the Royal British Legion and RAF Association.
Jon has sat as a magistrate for the last 27 years in Hampshire, in both Youth and Adult Courts and on Appeals in the Crown Court. He is High Sheriff for Hampshire for 2024/25.
Jon is currently the Chair/Hon HR Advisor to the Hampshire Scout Advisory Committee, Head of Hampshire & IOW Freemasons, and County President, Hampshire St John Ambulance. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant in 2023.
Jon is married to Lynn and lives in Hamble.