A passion for young people and helping turn lives around is the driving force behind Lancashire’s new high sheriff.

Jim grew up in Bradshaw near Bolton and went to Thornleigh Salesian College. He did not go to university but instead decided to follow in his father‘s footsteps and attempt to become a Chartered Surveyor. He was fortunate in being accepted as a cadet with the Inland Revenue property division and was sponsored to qualify. He then had formative periods of employment in both the public and private sectors including spells in Blackburn and Hyndburn. In 1986 he joined what is now the Eric Wright Group based in Preston.

At the time the company was a relatively modest mainly construction business but Eric, a natural philanthropist, had a great vision for the future and a passion which Jim very much shared. Over the years that followed the company grew, mostly organically, into what it is today. A major regional diverse property, construction and engineering organisation employing more than a thousand     people. Jim became the Group’s first CEO before taking up the role of deputy chairman alongside Eric, standing down only recently in anticipation of a busy civic year ahead.

The Eric Wright Group is owned by The Eric Wright Charitable Trust which invests profits back into the community by working with a broad range of charities, mainly in the northwest of England.

Jim discovered an interest in academia later in life and as well as his qualification as a Chartered Surveyor graduated from Northumbria University as a Master of Laws.

His keen interest in professionalism led him to become very involved with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors where he rose to become the first chairman of the newly created Management Board, leading significant modernisation for which he received the first president’s medal for an outstanding contribution to the profession. He is a member of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors, a freeman of the City of London and became a trustee of the University College of Estate Management where he was made an honorary fellow for his services to property education.

Professional public service moved north when Jim joined the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership tasked with economic regeneration of the county. His skills set was a perfect fit when he became chairman of the newly signed City Deal with Lancashire County Council, Homes England and the government and over the life of this initiative more than £400 million of funding was secured for major infrastructure projects.

His passion for young people found a home with the founding of OnSide the charity that develops Youth Zones throughout the country. Initially Jim was involved through his firm who built Blackburn, Oldham and Wigan and the Charitable Trust soon became, and remains, a major donor. When a Youth Zone in Preston was proposed in 2008 Jim became a founding trustee but it was in his home town of Chorley where he was not only involved in its conception but sat on the board of trustees helping in the delivery of services to young people for 7 years until the start of 2025.

Jim became a Deputy Lieutenant for Lancashire in 2019, is a member of the Employment Advisory board at HMP Lancaster Farms helping to get released prisoners into housing  and employment and is a governor/board member of the University of Lancashire.

During his year of office, he wants to engage with as many sections of the community as possible but only where he can add genuine value.  Bearing in mind that the primary focus of the High Sheriff is law and order in the county Jim wants to put an emphasis on the task of trying to keep young people out of trouble and would like to establish the national charity Getting Court in the county and embed it in all the law enforcement agencies, the Youth Zone movement and educational establishments.

Jim has lived in Chorley for over 30 years with his solicitor wife Annabel of 42 years. He has one daughter, Rachel, and it is a great source of pride to him that she is now a successful Chartered Surveyor in her own right, the third generation.

When there is time, as an enthusiastic cook, he loves to grow his own vegetables. He also tries to keep fit and play the guitar, occasionally performing with his Irish friends on the West Coast of Ireland.

Jim feels extremely privileged to have been appointed as High Sheriff of Lancashire and hopes to achieve as much as possible in what is a relatively short time.

James and Annabel Carter signing the Declaration of High Sheriff.