The new High Sheriff of Gwent is a former TA soldier and a trustee of Bridges Community Centre.

Murray Macfarlane was born and raised in Newport and qualified as a Chartered Accountant while serving with the Royal Artillery (TA) in South Wales as a 2nd Lieutenant.

After moving to London in the late 1960s, Murray built a successful career to become a consulting partner leading the financial services practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

In the late 1980s he and his wife, Jane, moved back to Monmouthshire where Jane trained and worked as a local solicitor.

Upon retirement Murray become chairman of Bridges Community Centre, the Monmouth charity serving the local community and has for several years worked with young offenders in the county as a volunteer panel member with the Gwent Youth Offending Team.

The role of High Sheriff (or Shire Reeve for the King) dates from 992 and is the oldest secular office in England.

It was originally concerned with collecting the Kings taxes and overseeing police and the courts but powers have been gradually reduced over the years.

In Gwent in recent years High Sheriffs have focussed on helping the community support young people, who are unemployed, the victims of crime or are otherwise disadvantaged.

As High Sheriff, Murray aims to continue the excellent work of the High Sheriff Community Fund which is a highly effective catalyst in bringing together those who support the office of High Sheriff and awards grants to the many smaller, local community based initiatives across Gwent which help the young and build community coherence and safety.

Murray's particular focus is to support those initiatives which build confidence and self esteem in young people so as to equip them for life in a competitive adult world.

"Last year we helped over 20 such charities and over 1,800 young people; this year we aim to do more."

Among other initiatives, Murray aims to hold a series of sponsored walks in 2013 to raise funds for the above cause.

Badged 'The 10 x 10 x 10 walks across Gwent' the aim is to complete 10 walks each of 10 miles over 10 (non consecutive) days during the summer.

The walks cover all parts of Gwent and everyone is invited to participate and contribute.

Murray will be officially appointed High Sheriff during a ceremony at Bridges this Friday (5th April).