Robert Douglas CBE was installed into the ancient office of High Sheriff by the Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Sarah Goad JP, at a ceremony at Guildford Cathedral on 26th March 2010, which was also attended by the outgoing High Sheriff, Lady Toulson CBE.

Once the most powerful figure in local governance, the High Sheriff now performs mainly judicial and ceremonial functions in a role created more than 1,000 years ago and predated only by the monarch.

Mr Douglas was born in 1948 in Gosforth, Northumberland. He was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh, and Churchill College, Cambridge where he took his degree in Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse.  He has a post-graduate diploma in the Study of Records and Administration of Archives from the University of Liverpool.

His career has been varied. After working for three years as an archivist, he joined the Inland Revenue where he trained and qualified as Inspector of Taxes. In 1980 he joined the Tax Department of Royal Dutch Shell where he held a number of posts including Shell UK Tax Manager and Head of International Taxation, based in the Hague. He then moved into senior general management: roles included Area Co-ordinator for East Asia; Chief Executive, Belgian Shell; Chief Executive, Shell Italia; and Vice-President for Mergers and Acquisitions and Competitive Intelligence for the Global Exploration and Production Business. Rob left Shell at the end of 1999.

Since then he has developed a portfolio comprising his own consultancy business with non-executive board posts in the public and private sectors. Currently he is Chairman of the South East England Development Agency, and a Board member of the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

He was appointed a CBE in 2005 for services to learning and skills.

He is married to Hilary. They have two adult sons and live in Walton on Thames.

Mr Douglas said: "The High Sheriff is an ancient office and to become High Sheriff of Surrey is a great honour and I am excited and enthusiastic about my appointment. Although I look forward to engaging with a wide range of groups and communities across the county, I have a particular interest in helping young people in the 16-25 age group access education, training or employment, particularly those who are disadvantaged in some way.

"Like my predecessors, I will also continue to support and build the High Sheriff's Youth Awards Scheme which is designed to give recognition and financial support to young people aged between  9 and 19 who are working on projects which help promote crime reduction and community enhancement within Surrey"